Calypso Girls stay perfect, USA shock Gems

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

Trinidad and Tobago’s Calypso Girls strengthened their bid for a place at next year’s Netball World Cup after demolishing Canada 61-32 for their fourth consecutive victory at the Americas Netball World Cup Qualifiers on Friday.

However, the Barbados Gems suffered a setback in their quest to secure one of the two qualifying spots on offer when they were stunned 43-41 by the United States, their first defeat of the tournament.

As a result, Trinidad and Tobago remain the only unbeaten team in the competition, with three matches remaining.

With regular starter Samantha Wallace-Joseph rested, Maikea Bramble delivered an outstanding shooting performance, converting 55 of her 58 attempts at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex.

Trinidad and Tobago raced to an early 18-6 lead and never looked back, extending their advantage to 31-15 by half-time.

The contest was effectively decided in the third quarter when the Calypso Girls asserted their dominance, outscoring Canada 17-11 to take a commanding 48-26 lead into the final period.

Kalifa McCollin converted all six of her attempts for the winners, while Ladonna Lamonth led Canada with 18 goals from 37 attempts and Jacqueline Kelly added 14 goals from 17 attempts.

Needing a victory against the United States to strengthen their hopes of a top-two finish, Barbados entered the contest as favourites after winning their first three matches.

However, the Americans produced a determined performance to keep their qualification hopes alive, leaving both teams with identical 3-1 records.

In the day’s other early match, St Vincent and the Grenadines thrashed the British Virgin Islands 91-13, powered by Mary-Ann Frederick, who netted 71 goals from 74 attempts.