UWI crowned Intercol Senior Netball champs

Led by brilliant defensive work from goal defence Shamera Sterling and goalkeeper Latanya Wilson, UWI A were too hot for G.C. Foster A in the final of the Intercol Senior Netball competition at the G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sport on Saturday.

The Phyllis Thompson-coached team scored a decisive 41-28 win over the hosts to capture their first title in five years.

Being unbeaten all season and with a quality line-up, UWI were big favourites to get the better of G.C. Foster, whom they had beaten in the preliminary stages of the competition. G.C Foster stumbled in their bid to capitalise on home advantage after getting by defending and many-time champions Mico A in a close semi-final encounter a few days earlier.

For the first two quarters, G.C. Foster, spurred on by a large host of supporters, were toe to toe with their opponents as UWI led 8-7 after the first quarter.

The second quarter belonged to the home team as they went in front 13-12 at the half-time break, brimming with confidence.

However, a fully charged UWI team came out of the break. G.C. Foster’s goal attack Kestina Sturridge and goalshooter Saffan Knight had difficulty piercing the solid defence unit of the UWI team.

Sterling showed why she is rated as one of the best defenders – if not the best – in the world, combining well with the talented Wilson with interceptions, forcing their opponents into taking hurried shots with little or no success, as UWI took a 28-22 lead at the end of the third quarter.

UWI turned up the heat in the final quarter as goal attack Amanda Pinkney and goalshooter Denay Thompson were on target, silencing the whistle- and vuvuzela-blowing home fans, outscoring their opponents 13-6 in that quarter to secure a comprehensive win.

Pinkney, with 34 goals from 42 attempts, topscored for the winners and was ably assisted by Thompson, with 10 from 17.

Knight had 16 from 21 for G.C. Foster, while Sturridge ended with 12 from 18.

There was some consolation for G.C. Foster, though, as their B team had beaten UWI B 41-26 to take home the Intermediate B title earlier in the day.