Sion Hill netball team misses out on title

Manager of the C & R Enterprises Sion Hill netball team, Sylvia Clarke is optimistic that her team will regain the sub-regional title in 2006.

Clarke made that prediction after her team returned to the state last Tuesday night. C & R Enterprises had an unsuccessful sojourn at the 17th ECGC OECS Champion of Champion Club tournament in Nevis. {{more}}

The Manager believed that Sion Hill was the superior unit among the OECS Champion Clubs.

She said given more impartial conditions, her team would have lifted the winner’s trophy.

Clarke’s assessment did not concur with the commentators on Sunday night, who praised Elite Strikers with a pool of superlatives.

Winner of last year’s competition, Sion Hill lost to St.Lucia’s Elite Strikers in the deciding match.

Elite rebounded after relinquishing the title here in 2004.

The St. Lucians cramped the Vincentians’ style 59-47, leading in all quarters. Sion Hill came within two points, but could not sustain their surge.

Before, Sion Hill eased past Antigua/Barbuda’s Courts Eagles 67-42,crushed Dominica’s Fort Knox Aces 61-43, St. Kitts’ Cayon Globe Trotters 61-39 and edged out host Island Club Pace Setters 38 -37.

Sion Hill ended with a 1.294 percent average, scoring 282 goals and conceding 218.

The lone award for Sion Hill was stashed away by last year’s tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP),Joanna Christopher. The accurate goal shooter had to settle for her team’s MVP. She sank 224 goals from 251 attempts, recording an 89.24 percent accuracy.

Natalie Nisbett of Pace Setters was the Player of the tournament, and the best center court player. She also copped her team’s MVP.

Continuing the host’s domination of the awards, the most accurate shooter was Shantel Isles who registered an 89.47 per cent accuracy.

Her team mate Lydia Thompson/Claxton was the best defensive player. Pace Setters was the best defending team.

Elite Strikers was the most accurate shooting team, and had the best shooting average, at 83.64 percent and 1.43 respectively.

The other MVP’s were Pamela Huggins of Globe Trotters, Candace Jones-Courts Eagles, Jennifer Nanton-Fort Knox and Debra Mathurin Elite Strikers.

Sion Hill’s immediate assignment shifts to the local front, when they go in search of the double in the Cable and Wireless National Club Tournament.

Following their triumph in the Division One competition earlier this month, Sion Hill set their eyes on the Knock-Out title.