UNBEATEN teams Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago advanced to the finals of this afternoon's Caribbean Under-16 Netball Championship at the Leila Robinson Courts.The local girls got by defending champions St. Vincent and the Grenadines 35-23 in the second game. In the first game, Trinidad and Tobago beat St. Lucia 30-22.
Jamaica trailed 6-7 at the end of the first quarter, led 17-13 at the half-time and 26-17 at the end of the third quarter.
Goal Shoot Jodi-Ann Ffrench led Jamaica's scoring, netting 21 goals from 30 attempts while goal attack Tiffany Wolfe scored 14 from 22 attempts.
For St. Vincent, Goal Attack Gailine Gordon scored 18 goals from 26 attempts while Goal Shoot Karen Joseph scored five from 11 attempts.
"I am really happy with the win," said Jamaica's manager Cora Ricketts.
"The girls played well. The St. Vincent team really came out hard...they are the defending champions and they gave it everything they had.
"We are determined to win the Championship. It won't be easy against Trinidad because they will be coming at us," added Ricketts.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines coach Adith Waldron was happy with her team's effort, but said the officiating left a lot to be desired.
"My girls played well. I have no complaints with the way they played. However, I was not satisfied with the officiating. They were not picking up the obstructions, the contacts and the footworks of the players and that was very disappointing," added Waldron.
In the opening game, Trinidad trailed 7-8 at the end of the first quarter. It was 12-12 at the half-time before Trinidad surged ahead to lead 23-16.
Goal Attack Patrice Edwards scored 29 goals from 33 attempts to lead Trinidad's scoring while Goal Shoot Raquel Russell scored one goal from seven attempts.
For St. Lucia, Goal Shoot Merlissa Alfred scored 11 goals from 15 attempts and Goal Attack Givani Lucien scored 11 goals from 17 attempts.
The final commences at 5:15 p.m.
