A&B takes silver at Windball Tournament

By Neto Baptiste

Antigua and Barbuda were defeated by five wickets when they took on Trinidad and Tobago in the finals of the 2009 Caribbean Regional Women Windball Tournament at the Constantine Park in Tunapuna Trinidad on Sunday.

After an undefeated run into the semi-finals, Antigua and Barbuda were restricted to 72 for eight in their allotted 15 overs before Trinidad and Tobago reached their target with five wickets in hand and three overs to spare.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Nolia Elvin was adjudged the tournament’s MVP after making significant contributions to the team’s success.

In their first outing against Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda walked away with a 49 runs victory. A&B, batting first, racked up a total of 108 for six in their 15 overs with a top knock of 27 coming from Pendah Thomas while Christine Mills and Nolia Hodge contributing 25 and 22 runs respectively. Barbados were then restricted to a score of 59 for seven in their allotted 15 overs.

Antigua’s Esther George, Bronti Isaac, Troylene Payne, Shantell Edwards and Sacha Michael all picked-up three wickets.

Antigua and Barbuda won their second outing against T&T by just three runs to advance to the finals of the competition.

Batting first, A&B made just 75 runs for eight wickets with the top score coming from Elvin who had a knock of 24 runs. Shelly Felix bagged two wickets for 13 runs while Disiree Simon snatched two wickets for one run bowling for T&T.

The host, in reply, could only reach 72 runs before they were all out in 14.5 overs. Jenette Marchan was the only scorer of note for T&T with 19 runs. Bowling for Antigua and Barbuda, Sharon Francis bagged three wickets for 11 runs in three overs while Troylene Payne, Jahiene Sheroy Jeffrey, Shantell Edwards and Pendah Thomas all had one wicket.

The Antigua and Barbuda were due to return home yesterday afternoon following their silver medal finish at the prestigious event.

The team included Old Road’s Daphne Morris (Captain) and Nolia Hodge Elvin (Vice Captain) of Heritage Sports Targets.

The other members included are Sharon Francis, Gaynell O’Garro, Christine Mills and Sacha Michael of Quality Boat Works Enforcers, Esther Armstrong and Brontie Isaac of Heritage Sports Targets along with Troylene Payne, Joycelyn Benjamin and Shantell Edwards of Brysons Shipping & Insurance Bullets.

Rounding off the selections is Monique Titus of Antigua Sail Female Flyers, Trisha Batchelor of Old Road along with Jahiene Jeffery and Pendah Thomas of FDICIC Strictly Business. Notably absent from the team was Cheryl Williams of Bullets who will missed the tour due to work commitments.

A three-member management team to include coach Arthur Crogman, team manager Veronique Benta and tour manager Leroy John-Baptiste also travelled with the team.