SVG, Grenada to battle for OECS Under-23 Netball title

Hosts St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and defending champions Grenada have both stayed perfect in the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) OECS Under-23 Netball Tournament and will renew their battle tomorrow from 6 p.m. at the Arnos Vale Netball Complex, in their respective quests to lift the 2016 title.

SVG, 14-time winner of the tournament, will, however, have to produce their best efforts in all departments and hope that Grenada have their worst showing, if they want to make it win number 15 in this the 25th edition.

The two have had contrasting showings, as team SVG has been far from dominant, while Grenada is the total opposite.{{more}}

In the Vincentians’ run-up to tomorrow’s final match, they had two hard fought wins versus Dominica on Saturday and on Sunday night versus former winners St Lucia.

On Saturday, the Vincentians had to rally in the last quarter to defeat Dominica 31-26. Both teams were locked 5-5 at the end of the first quarter, while St Vincent and the Grenadines led at the half way mark 13-11, but Dominica established a four-goal advantage at the end of third 22-18.

However, some personnel changes in the last quarter saw SVG outscoring Dominica 13-3.

For St Vincent and the Grenadines, Khadija Williams scored 23 from her 31 attempts; Shanice Daniel had 7 from 7 and Kelesha Francis, 1 from 1.

Facing St Lucia, a 29-26 win was the outcome for the Vincentians; this after leading in the previous quarters, 9-3, 18-8 and 23-17.

Williams poured in 28 of 34 and Daniel had 1 from 5. For St Lucia, Ianna Hypolite registered 15 of her 21 attempts; Megan Nestor got 6 from 10 and Joanne Anderson – 4 from 12.

But Grenada has been dominant, taking out St Kitts 42-31, Dominica 44-26 and versus St Lucia, they ran away 38-21 winners.

In their opener against St Kitts, Rennisha Stafford counted 24 of 31, Alexander – 7 of 9, Tiffany Frederick – 6 of 9 and Kesley Frederick – 5 of 8.

In their win against Dominica, Stafford converted 23 of her 31 attempts, while Carlene Alexander had 14 of her 20 counted and Tiffany Fredericks was successful with 7 of her 9.

Stafford was again the lead scorer versus St Lucia, recording 22 of her 38 tries and Tiffany Frederick had 16 of her 25 registered.

Monday evening’s matches, having started, were set to resume Tuesday morning.

At the point of delay because of rain, St Lucia was leading Dominica 17-16 in the second quarter, and SVG had established a 4-1 lead over St Kitts early in the first quarter.

In another match competed Monday morning, Dominica outdid St Kitts 48-39.

Prior to tomorrow evening’s SVG versus Grenada title decider, St Lucia meets St Kitts.

Following the tournament’s decider, the presentation and closing ceremony will take place.(RT)