CHARLESTOWN, Nevis, July 22, 2010 - Screams of joy, well blended with screams of anguish resonated from the Grell Hull-Stevens Netball Complex last evening as the 2010 National Bank local Netball league climaxed with a thrilling contest between Stoney Grove Untouchables and Bath United.
From the outset, it was obvious that Bath United meant to make a game of it when it was observed that they had reinforced their team with players of the calibre of Natalie Nisbett-Sutton, Nicky Nisbett and Cleopatra Perry.
Stoney Grove Untouchables however remained steadfast with their tried and proven line up, which included former West Indies captain Lydia Claxton, Tasha Forrester, Rhonda Thompson and Latasha Isles.
Both teams commenced the game on such an aggressive note that umpire Jeannette Grell Hull had to pause the game long enough to tell both teams ‘simmer down’.
The two undefeated teams in the tournament however played their hearts out much to the appreciation of the sizeable and vociferous crowd. At the end of the first quarter, the score was 7 goals all with neither team backing down. By the end of the second quarter, Bath United had edged into a narrow lead, being in front by a mere one goal.—the score was 13 to 12 in their favour.
For the third quarter, Bath United made a tactical move by replacing goal shooter Kernesia Parry and goal attack Dionne Howell with sisters Nicky Nisbett and Natalie Nisbett-Sutton. At the end of the quarter, Stoney Grove had secured a definitive two goal advantage. They were leading with the score line 25 goals to 23.
The crowd was on edge as it all came down top the final quarter to determine the 2010 National Bank champions of Netball. The experienced Stoney Grove team shot three early goals without a response from the Bath team much to the jubilation of ‘Shatta’ and her crew but suddenly it was Natalie Nisbett–Sutton moving across the court with lightening agility to intercept and make impossible steals to set up the plays for an assault on the opposition’s net.
Suddenly the very quiet Bath United bench was hopping and screaming again, with Winston ‘Papa’ Parris making his presence felt in the stands. With no scores visible on the score board, one could only sense that there was not much separating the two teams as the seconds ticked away. When the final whistle was blown, the much anticipated announcement came: Stoney Grove Untouchables had won by the narrowest of margins—33 goal’s to 32!
Treasurer of the Netball Association Allister Thompson also revealed that with the score on 33 to 32 as the moments ticked away, Bath United missed no fewer than three clear goals. Stoney Grove Untouchables therefore the local champion of Netball on Nevis for 2010.
In the first game of the evening, Majestics totally outplayed St.Thomas’ United two with a score line of 47 to 5.
Immediately following the final game, the closing exercises were held. In a ceremony chaired by Allister Thompson, the following presentations were made:
• MVP of the tournament—Derika Parry of St.Thomas’ United
• Most accurate shooter-Latasha Isles of Stoney Grove Untouchables
• Best defensive team-Bath United
• Most disciplined team—Majestics
• Best uniformed team—St.Thomas’ United
• Knock out champions-Stoney Grove Untouchables
• 3rd placed team—St.Thomas’ United one
• 2nd placed team-Bath United
• 1st placed team-Stoney Grove Untouchables
The players from the three top teams all received medals.
A special plaque was also presented to Patron of the league Alpha Jeffers for her outstanding contrinbution to Netball throughout the years. The award was collected by a family member.
President Jeannette Grell-Hull also released the names of a squad of players who will go into training immediately after Culturama with the intention of representing the National team at either the senior level or the under 23 level—or both. They will meet at the Grell Hull-Stevens Netball Complex on Tuesday 27th July for a very important meeting.
The full squad reads: Orhgel Erskin; Kimberly Maynard; Charlesia Browne; Randicia Chapman; Tamerell Browne; Shamyse Bartlette; Govanie Manners; Celia Powell; Hanella Fyfield; Kernesia Parry; Kazel Williams; Trika Powell; Leosia Wyatt; Jasmine Charles; Dionne Howell; Shenneth Skeete; Nneka Nisbett; Natalie Nisbett-Sutton; Clepatra Perry; Andrea Hobson; Kimoye Pemberton; Shantel Isles; Rhonda Thompson; Lydia Thompson-Claxton; Tasha Forrester; Varina Glasford; Viola Chapman; Shantell Williams; Tricia Williams; Kemona Daniel; Keisha Williams; Diana Browne; Vera Herbert; Dereka Parry; Khalin Nisbett; Stephanie Nisbett; Leanne Browne; Yunoka Thompson; Debra Nisbett; Damali Lawrence; Saena Liburd and Earla Dyer.
Two young players who impressed during the tournament were also added to the list viz Collen Brown and Derya Barry.
The next tournament on the Associatioon’s calendar is the business league slated for Octobver of this year.
