Barbados stun Saint Lucia in fourth-quarter rally as T&T cruise in qualifiers
Key Points(5)
- Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago maintained their perfect starts to the Americas Netball World Cup Qualifiers on Tuesday, but they took contrasting routes to their second consecutive victories at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex.
- The Barbados Gems mounted a stirring fourth-quarter comeback to defeat Saint Lucia 42-40, overturning an eight-goal deficit, while the reigning Central American and Caribbean Games champions, Trinidad and Tobago’s Calypso Gems, overwhelmed St.
- Vincent and the Grenadines 73-41.
- Both teams moved to two wins from two matches as the race for places at the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia, gathered momentum.
- Barbados produce a remarkable comeback The home crowd had plenty to cheer as Barbados rescued a match that appeared to be slipping away after three quarters.
Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago maintained their perfect starts to the Americas Netball World Cup Qualifiers on Tuesday, but they took contrasting routes to their second consecutive victories at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex.
The Barbados Gems mounted a stirring fourth-quarter comeback to defeat Saint Lucia 42-40, overturning an eight-goal deficit, while the reigning Central American and Caribbean Games champions, Trinidad and Tobago’s Calypso Gems, overwhelmed St. Vincent and the Grenadines 73-41.
Both teams moved to two wins from two matches as the race for places at the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia, gathered momentum.
Barbados produce a remarkable comeback
The home crowd had plenty to cheer as Barbados rescued a match that appeared to be slipping away after three quarters.
Saint Lucia, buoyed by its bronze-medal victory over Barbados at this year’s Central American and Caribbean Games, carried a commanding 35-27 advantage into the final period and looked poised to repeat that success.
Instead, the Gems found another gear when it mattered most.
Inspired by the support of the home fans, Barbados tightened its defense and converted its chances to outscore Saint Lucia 15-5 in the fourth quarter. That decisive surge turned an eight-goal deficit into a dramatic two-goal victory and kept the hosts firmly on course in their qualifying campaign.
Faye Agard led Barbados with 18 attempts, converting 15, while Kadeen Corbin contributed nine goals from 12 attempts.
Saint Lucia’s Naija Ferdinand produced the highest individual scoring return of the match, landing 20 of 22 attempts, but her efforts were not enough to prevent a second defeat in the tournament.
The result offered Barbados a measure of revenge for its CAC Games disappointment and demonstrated the team’s ability to respond under pressure.
Calypso Gems deliver a commanding performance
Trinidad and Tobago had a considerably more comfortable afternoon, controlling its encounter with St. Vincent and the Grenadines from the opening whistle.
The Calypso Gems established a 17-9 lead in the first quarter before stretching the margin to 36-17 at halftime. They maintained their scoring pressure after the break, taking a 56-29 advantage into the final period before completing a 32-goal rout.
Samantha Wallace-Joseph spearheaded the attack with 33 goals from 35 attempts. Kalifa McCollin added 20 from 23, while Maikea Bramble was flawless, converting all 17 of her attempts.
Mary-Ann Frederick led the scoring for St. Vincent and the Grenadines with 34 goals from 40 attempts, but her accuracy could not offset Trinidad and Tobago’s relentless offensive production.
The emphatic victory underlined the Calypso Gems’ strength as they continued their pursuit of a place at the global championship.
USA and Canada also claim victories
Elsewhere in Tuesday’s action, the United States defeated Grenada 61-42, while Canada handed the British Virgin Islands a heavy 67-20 loss.
With Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago both recording their second wins, the unbeaten teams have carried early momentum into the next stage of the Americas qualifying battle, where every result will count toward securing a ticket to Sydney in 2027.
