NETBALL-LEAD Barbados post first win, dominant Jamaica still unbeaten

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, CMC – Barbados won for the first time at the Netball World Cup. At the same time, the Jamaican juggernaut continued its imperious march through the competition with yet another victory to remain unbeaten here Monday.

After losing all three Group B matches in the preliminary round to drop into Pool E, Barbados brushed aside Zimbabwe 62-45 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre after establishing a healthy 35-16 half-time lead.

Jamaica, meanwhile, who topped Group C, quickly dealt with the threat from Uganda to come away with a 62-45 victory in Pool G.

There was no such success for Trinidad and Tobago in the same pool, the Caribbean side suffering a 69-28 clobbering at the hands of hosts South Africa, who lost to Jamaica in their final group game on Sunday.

Needing a boost after enduring a challenging group phase, Barbados found their stride to lead 15-9 at the end of the first quarter before out-scoring their opponents 20-7 to have a clear lead at the half-time whistle.

The second half was more competitive, with Zimbabwe matching Barbados 15-15 in the third quarter before out-scoring them 14-12 in the final stanza.

Kadeen Corbin led the winners with 38 goals from 42 attempts, while Latonia Blackwood chipped in with 23 from 28.

Nalani Mukunde was the spearhead for Zimbabwe, with 30 goals from 30 attempts.

Jamaica found themselves initially locked in a tight affair with Uganda and held only a three-goal lead, 15-12, at the end of the first quarter.

They dominated in the second quarter, clobbering the African side 23-9 to hold a comfortable 38-21 lead at half-time.

Uganda out-scored them 16-12 in the third stanza and kept pace in the final one to match the Caribbean giants, but the outcome was inevitable by then.

Superstar goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler was a perfect 28-from-28, while Mary Cholhok again led Uganda with 28 goals from 33 attempts.

Trinidad and Tobago enjoyed a solid first quarter, trailing only 18-12. Still, the remaining quarters were blow-outs as Elmerè van der Berg (22/24) and Ine-Marí Venter (22/29) dominated for the Proteas.