Mitres, Maple tie it up

The Division One title of the league competition of the LIME National Club Tournament may just have to be decided by goal differential.{{more}}

This, after defending champions Western Union Mitres and arch rival, Vita Malt Maple, played to an exciting 54-54 draw, last Wednesday evening at the Kingstown Netball Centre, in the match which effectively determines the winner of the 2013 Division One title.

Both teams came into the match unbeaten, but it was Mitres who established a 17-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Maple clawed back to take the second quarter at 28-26.

The ding-dong tussle saw Mitres regaining the ascendancy with a 43-40 score line at the whistle which signalled the end of the third quarter.

Mitres did the early conversions in the fourth and final quarter, before another twist began to unfold, as both teams traded the goals, the slender lead and on a few occasions, were all tied.

With seconds on the clock, and with time keeper Pearlina Thomas doing the count down, and the score reading 54-53 in favour of Mitres, Maple’s goal shoot Skiddy Francis- Crick had the last say, as she successfully scored, to leave the match tied.

However, whilst many agreed that it was a closely contested match, others were pointing accusing fingers in the direction of umpire Godfrey Harry, who was called upon determine the timing of the last shot converted by Francis-Crick.

For Maple, Francis-Crick was in her customary sublime form, as she poured in 47 of her 50 attempts, while Thelma Foster registered 7 of her 10.

Mitres’ goal tally was led by Gailene Gordon, who scored 42 of her 45 attempts and Shellisa Davis, who had 12 of her 17.

Mitres have a match in hand, which they are expected to win; then it could be the work of the statisticians who will work out the goal difference.(RT)