CargillJamaica's Under-16 netballers wrapped up their seventh Caribbean Netball Association (CNA) title in eight years, by thrashing Trinidad and Tobago 46-18 in the battle of the unbeaten teams in Antigua on Thursday.
The Young Sunshine Girls are the only unbeaten team in the tournament with six consecutive victories, and they appeared certain of a seventh ahead of last night's match against Barbados. Joan Cargill, coach of Jamaica team, says she is elated.
"I am absolutely delighted for this championship victory because the girls are peaking at the right moment and everything worked out according to our game plan," Cargill said.
toughest opponents
"The girls stuck to the task from the very first game of the tournament and even though we knew that Trinidad and Tobago were going to be our toughest opponents, the players were prepared for it and they went out and delivered on the day and I must lift my hats off to them," she noted.
Only one member from the victorious 2006 team retained a spot in this squad, but Cargill added that despite level of inexperience, the girls were always prepared for whatever challenges that came their way.
"This team is not experienced and does not compare to the previous teams in the past. But the girls went out and demonstrated a lot of knowledge and understanding about the game and I believe the future of netball is very bright in this country," Cargill explained.
Jamaica dominated Thursday's match from the opening whistle and held a 21-9 lead at half-time. Prolific six-foot, nine-inch goal-shooter Marvadean Anderson led the way for Jamaica with 22 goals from 32 attempts as the young Sunshine Girls led 32-14 at the end of the third quarter.
Anderson received solid support from teammates Deneen Taylor, 13 goals from 20 tries and Alana Chambers with a perfect 13 from 13.
Samantha Wallace, 12 goals from 15 tries, was the top shooter for the Trinidadians.
