Maple stop Mitres to win Division One netball league title

Metrocint General Insurance Limited Maple were crowned the 2017 Division One League winners of the FLOW National Club Tournament, last Thursday evening at the Kingstown Netball Centre.

Maple, matched up against the 2016 champions Western Union Mitres, entered the encounter as the only undefeated team in the division, as both contenders Twilight Trading X-Ceed and Mitres had each lost a match.

A win for Mitres meant that the title would have been decided on goal difference, whilst a draw or win for Maple, would have secured it for them.

Maple, though, left nothing to chance and charted their course.

Maple’s intent was clear, as they took a slim lead from the get-go, leading 15-14 at the end of the first quarter, and 33-32 at the end of the second.

An extension by three goals in the decisive third quarter saw Maple going into the last quarter 49-46.

The wheels though, fell off from Mitres’ wagon in the final quarter, as Maple’s attrition dictated the last 15, cantering to a 69-61 triumph.

Maple’s ace shooter Skiddy Francis-Crick netted 58 of her 62 tries and her side-kick in the circle Rose-Clair Hall made good 11 of her 14.

For the dethroned champions, Gailene Gordon, who was summoned from her Dominica base for the match, made 49 of her 60 tries, while the twinkled-toe and slippery Shellisa Davis registered 12 from her 17 attempts.

Mitres therefore slipped down to third place, as they were also defeated by X-Ceed earlier in the competition.

By maintaining their unbeaten run in the league race, Maple will get their first piece of silverware since 2013, as the 2014, 2015 and 2016 tournament, both the league and knockout titles were copped by Mitres.

This year, Division One has been reconfigured to include the previous Division Two teams Sea Operations Nar Fren Dem, Star Girls, Hillview and Dutch Lady Clinchers.

The next accolade the eight teams will be after is the knockout title.