World Netball Championship: Trinidad & Tobago 47, Scotland 39

[Bitter]

Game 4, Pool B: Trinidad & Tobago 47, Scotland 39
11/11/2007
http://www.worldnetballchamps.com/index.cfm?layout=displayNews&newsArticle=356

Who would have thought island nations from the Caribbean and one of the northern most countries in the world would generate standing room-only crowds in Auckland, New Zealand?

That’s what the Trinidad and Tobago versus Scotland match did at the New World Netball World Championships at the Trusts Stadium today and they did it well enough that the No More Seats sign was put up.

The game was played on court two but its smaller seating capacity didn’t stop Trinidad and Tobago – known as the ‘Calypso Girls’ - rising to the occasion and giving enthusiastic fans some enthusiastic play for a 47-39 victory.

However, the eight-goal difference at the end of the game probably didn’t show how tough the contest really was.

It was goal-for-goal in the first quarter and the intensity flowed from the first shot with several Scottish players hitting the deck as they desperately tried to hold on to a slender lead. The teams went into the first quarter break at 12-11 to Trinidad & Tobago.

At the start of the second quarter the Caribbean side pulled ahead and was able to maintain a narrow lead going into half-time 27-22. In a slow-scoring third quarter Trinidad & Tobago moved ahead 37-28 before Scotland came back in a mad scramble in the final 15 minutes. The Scots actually won the last quarter 12-10, but their efforts were to no avail in a gallant loss which thrilled supporters of both teams.

“Because of all the injuries and stoppages we lost momentum. We have to be more focused in the future,” said Grace Parkinson-Griffith, the coach of Trinidad & Tobago.

Their captain, Rhonda John-Davis was happy with the win, but believed there’s more to come from Trinidad & Tobago, which is the only nation outside of Australia and New Zealand to win the title (1979 in a shared win with New Zealand and Australia).

“We were able to minismise our mistakes. We said no more mistakes and it worked,” said John-Davis. “Our defence worked wonderfully. Our shooters also worked well too but it was our defence which was best.”

With some real bash and crash in the win over Scotland John-Davis said her players were ‘ok’ and don’t mind mixing it up with the opposition. “We are tough. We are like cats, we always land on our feet.”

Trinidad & Tobago’s Anastascia Wilson at goal shoot was involved in a running battle with Scotland defender Lisa Vosti Harper for most of the match. Harper probably came off the second best as Wilson shot 77 percent for the first quarter, then 12 out of 12 in the second period, followed by 73 percent and 64 percent in the final two quarters for a game average of close to 80 per cent.

As a shooting partner Janelle Barker missed just two out of 12 shots at goal attack. Overall as a combination the Trinidad & Tobago shooters achieved a 67 per cent success rate for the game.

By comparison Scotland's shooters finished on 60 per cent for the game.

[WestCoast]

nice one Ladies
my next door neighbour here in Victoria, BC plays and she is always asking my daughter if she would like to come out and play.

[Dutty]

nice one Ladies
my next door neighbour here in Victoria, BC plays and she is always asking my daughter if she would like to come out and play.

wow..you really living in Little England out dey boy....I doubt 98% of canucks even know that sport exist

[Bitter]

Game 15, Pool B: Australia 78, Trinidad & Tobago 34
12/11/2007
http://www.worldnetballchamps.com/index.cfm?layout=displayNews&newsArticle=368

Australia overcame a patchy second quarter to repel a physical Trinidad & Tobago 78-34 at the New World Netball World Championships at The Trusts Stadium, Waitakere, Auckland today.

With leading players captain Liz Ellis and goal shoot Catherine Cox rested for the match, Australia lacked some of their usual efficiency, resulting in a high error rate, but they bounced back to finish strongly.

Australia started with a bang, racing out to a commanding 24-9 first quarter lead as the team from the Caribbean failed to cope with their opponents’ speed of play. But several chances went begging for the Australians, who were wayward in their shooting during this stanza.

Showing glimpses of their famous aerial flair, Trinidad & Tobago fought back in the second quarter of the increasingly physical encounter as Australia went through a mistake-ridden patch.

Trinidad & Tobago’s period of dominance, however, was short-lived as Australia responded to a rev-up from coach Norma Plummer during an injury break.

Although it was far from a vintage performance, Australia ground their way back to form, confronting the physical challenge of Trinidad & Tobago with a superior passing game and overall efficiency.

With some of their less experienced members at both ends of the court, Australia sprang away again after an even start to the third quarter. Stretching out to a 58-30 three-quarter time advantage, the Australian shooting duo of Susan Pratley and Natalie Medhurst regained their touch with a higher degree of accuracy.

As Trinidad & Tobago tired, Australia took control in a dominating final quarter.

“It was a very pleasing start for us with 24 goals after the first quarter and perhaps we let that slip a little bit in the second quarter but we picked it up again in that third quarter so there were good things to take away and also some things to work on,” Australia’s vice-captain Sharelle McMahon said.

[Bitter]

Game 21, Pool B: Samoa 52, Trinidad & Tobago, 48
13/11/2007
http://www.worldnetballchamps.com/index.cfm?layout=displayNews&newsArticle=375

Samoa burst past Trinidad & Tobago in a final quarter surge to grab a 52-48 win in the all-important Pool B match at the New World Netball World Championships at The Trusts Stadium, in Auckland today.

Samoa now head to the top eight playoffs, starting on Thursday, when they will meet Jamaica at 6.10 pm.

Trinidad & Tobago pulled out to a comfortable enough lead during the third quarter after a tight and absorbing tussle between the two teams through the first half.

All locked up at 10-all at the first quarter break the teams remained neck-and-neck heading into the second spell. Trinidad & Tobago threatened to break free on a number of occasions but the tenacious Samoans managed to reel them in each time. Both teams made frequent use of the bomb to respective shooters Catherine Latu, for Samoa, and Trinidad & Tobago’s Janelle Barker with varying degrees of success.

Trinidad & Tobago had edged to a 26-24 half-time advantage and extended that immediately after the resumption of play. A productive patch where they fed off Samoa’s errors and finished strongly had Trinidad & Tobago in control when they forged to a six-goal advantage.

Not to be outdone, Samoa fought back gamely, paving the way for a tense and action-packed final 15 minutes when they trailed just 38-36 at three-quarter time.

The Pacific Island team responded magnificently with a huge lift in commitment and composure to scupper Trinidad & Tobago’s early advantage in a frenetic finish. In a team of tireless workers, Latu and replacement goal attack Anna Senio proved impressive finishers for Samoa.

“They were very, very hungry and it was a very physical match out there,” Samoa captain Frances Solia said.
“Going into that last quarter, experience really did come into it at the end for us.”