Vita Malt Maple knocked out of National Netball title race

Buddy Pak Mitres beat arch rivals Vita Malt Maple to go ahead in the three way race for the Division One title of the Cable & Wireless Netball Championships.

The youthful Mitres led by undoubtedly the best netballer in the land, Dellarice Duncan, made a come-from-behind win, 35-32, last Monday evening at the Kingstown Netball Centre.{{more}}

Maple, the oldest netball outfit in the country, led the first three quarters 6-5, 16-14, and 22-20, before Mitres’ energy level surged to romp home to a hard fought victory.

A match which did not live up its usual high standards was punctuated by several turnovers and the normal score line in excess of 50 goals apiece did not materialise.

Mitres, with four current national players in their line up including Duncan, Genella Andrews, Marcia Gordon and Jacintha Adams, were made to trail before Duncan, playing in the Goal Attack position, showed her worth. She completely bamboozled the Maple defence with accurate and deft passing in the attacking third. Duncan hit 10 from 18 attempts and Jasmine Frank 25 from 29, while for Maple Skiddy Francis Crick shot 11 from 19 and Onesha Nimblett 21 from 35.

Both Mitres and Maple have defending champion C & R Enterprises Sion Hill on their agenda. Sion Hill, a shadow of the team that lifted the OECS title in 2004, have to come good against their more tactful opponents if they are to remain as local champions.

While the tussle goes on Division One, Division 2A sees newcomers Raffles Canouan Islanders, having completed all their matches, are unbeaten. Mitresonics is taking full charge of the Under-16 race, while Division 2B and Division 3 hang in the balance.