UWI, Mico, GC crowned champs

THE University of theWest Indies, Mico University College and G.C.Foster all shared the spotlight as the 2010 inter-col netball championships came to an end at the University of Technolgy on Thursday, as they were all crowned champions of their various divisions.

Both G.C. Foster and Mico retained their titles, as G.C. Foster defeated Knox Community College in junior action, while Mico stopped G.C. Foster 33-30 for the intermediate title. The University of West Indies took the big one when they defeated Mico 48-45 for the senior title.

Undoubtedly, it was the senior final between Mico and the UWI which was the highlight of the day, as both teams were the best all season, coming into the final with nearly identical records. Having one loss each, the Mico team had nine wins, while the University of West Indies were winners of eight.

psychological advantage

The Conrad Parkes-coached UWI team came into the final with the psychological advantage, as five days earlier they had beaten the Annette Daley-coached Mico in their final preliminary game. Mico were losing for the first time this season.

Mico scored first, as national senior player Vanessa Walker, at goal attack, scored to give Mico the lead, which was their only lead of the game. It did not take long for UWI to settle down, as lanky goal shooter Alicia Williams, as she did in their last outing, became Mico's nightmare. She collect passes with ease inside the circle, and along with goal attack Shawnette Kerr, helped their team to an early 6-3 lead.

Mico came back to pull level at 6-6, but UWI moved away to a 9-6 lead and held a narrow 12-11 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

During the second quarter both teams had to dig deep and fight. On several occasions, only one point separated both teams, with the scores being level on at least three others. However, UWI pulled away towards the end of the second quarter for a 26-23 half-time lead.

dominant team

It was all UWI at the restart. They continued to be the more dominant team, and Mico had no answer for Williams. The Mico team did have some quality plays from Walker, with good help from her centre-court players, Patricia McCalla at centre and wing attack Jodian Buckle, which reduced the deficit by the end of the third quarter to 40-35.

With a 42-37 lead and looking likely to pull away from Mico, the UWI team had a rude awakening, as Mico came into their own to draw level at 44-44, with five minutes to go. Mico had a chance to take their second lead of the game, but goal attack Walker and goal shooter Sharna Carradice both failed to score and turned over the ball. Their opponents made no mistake by scoring at the other end to take the lead for good and hold on for their win.