Jamaica, Barbados clash in title decider

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Favourites and defending champions Jamaica will meet hosts Barbados in today's title decider of the Caribbean Netball Association (CNA) Jean Pierre Caribbean Under-16 netball championship, starting at 6:15 p.m. (5:15 p.m. Jamaica time).

The Jamaicans recorded their fifth victory of the championship last night when they defeated St Vincent and the Grenadines 70-11.

The Joan Cargill-coached team had notched a fourth consecutive win in their match on Thursday, trouncing St Lucia 41-16. Trudianne Pennant, with 15 goals from 21 attempts, and Chiquane Richards, 13 from 16, were the leading scorers for Jamaica.

Girls confident

Cora Ricketts, manager of the junior Sunshine Girls, is confident but says they won't be taking their opponents lightly.

"We are very confident because our team has been playing some wonderful netball. But we are not going to underestimate our opponents because they have also been winning all their matches," said Ricketts.

"... They are playing the same style of netball as us because they have been copying our play," added Ricketts. "However, what we have going for us is that we have a lot of depth and our team is very fit and so they will have to match up with us in this department."

Captain Vanessa Jones, Sade Ffrench, Pennant and Richards are expected to lead Jamaica's charge for their fourth consecutive hold on the trophy.

Like the Jamaicans, the Barbadians are also unbeaten in the tournament and are full of confidence ahead of the today's encounter.

The Barbadians recorded a 35-22 victory over Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday. Shannon Hackett and Shemeyne Alleyne are expected to lead Barbados' charge for a victory.