MICO edge UWI in thriller

PRESEASON favourites Mico A had to dig deep at home on Saturday to deny UWI A in their top-of-the-table clash in the preliminary round of the Intercollegiate senior netball competition as Mico came away with a close 45-42 win over their opponents.

Both teams came into their encounter unbeaten after picking up four consecutive wins each and with several former and present national senior representatives on show on both teams, an epic encounter was expected. Both teams were also coming off big wins in their previous match as UWI, playing away, had a close 34-31 win over defending champions G.C. Foster College, while, playing at home, Mico had an impressive 40-24 win over University of Technology.

EARLY 7-2 LEAD

It was the Conrad Parkes-coached UWI team which stole the early lead as, led by veteran Nadine Bryan at wing attack, goal shooter Thristina Harwood, and goalkeeper Shamera Sterling; they jumped into an early 7-2 lead before closing out the first quarter with a 14-11 advantage.

With their home fans cheering them on, the Mico team, despite several errors in centre court, were able to come into their own in the second quarter as goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid, starting for the first time this season, was bang on target as the home team outscored their opponents 13-10. Both teams went into the half-time break with the score tied at 24-24.

It was tit for tat in the third quarter as both teams traded goals. Harwood was in terrific form finding her target quite easily, despite goal defence Vangelee Williams making some crucial stops. Bryan was also having a big game for the UWI team as it was another tie at the third quarter with the score being 36-36.

MICO'S EXPERIENCE

Despite staying in the game for the majority of the final quarter, it was the experience of Mico that prevailed in the end as the Annette Daley-coached team outscored their opponents by three to give their team a narrow win and kept their unbeaten record intact.

It was indeed a good day for Mico, as earlier in the day they had two wins over home team G.C. Foster College. In the intermediate league, Mico B scored a convincing 49-15 win over G.C. Foster B before their junior team remained unbeaten this season after a 36-18 win over G.C. Foster C.

In other matches on the day, G.C. Foster A stopped EXED Community College 47-30, CASE stopped Moneague Community College 22-16, Sam Sharpe Teacher's College brushed aside Bethlehem 32-5, and Knox Community College dislodged Brown's Town Community College 39-10.