NETBALL & POLITICS & SPORTS - A HEALTHY MIX

NEWS OUT OF ST. KITTS

Netball upset Monday May 26 2008 by Saju Ng’alla Last Saturday
The Netball Premier League Championship was supposed to be decided when FirstCaribbean Mystix went up against the Coca Cola Shamrocks. Instead, the game ended in utter chaos with referees quarrelling among themselves, coaches set and ready to rumble on the court, players crying, while others rejoiced, and off the court in the stands, confused and weary fans had no idea what was going on. It is important to point out at this time that Mystix, on paper, is indeed the better team. The players on that team are much more skilful and fitter. However, the Coca Cola Shamrocks are a very well coached team and operate as a unit.
Also, most of the players on the Shamrocks’ team play the game with an emotional detachment. However, with Mystix, that team plays on an emotional roller coaster ride. So, you had the cool and well disciplined Shamrocks against the radical raw energy of the Mystix. The result of such a match-up was a very entertaining and hard fought game. The game started with Mystix jumping out to an early lead. However, the Shamrocks came charging back and had as many as a four-goal lead on their opponents. Much of this had a lot to do with Mechelle Liburd, who in this game played in the goal shooter position. Liburd scored an amazing 30 goals from 40 attempts, and goal attack Avonelle Julian scored eight goals from 11 attempts.
On the other side, the best goal shooter in St. Kitts/Nevis, Vanessa Isles, was having a miserable day. She was constantly missing shot, was out of position and was outplayed by Shamrocks’ goalkeeper. Isles only scored 16 goals from 30 attempts. With Isles having a terrible day much of the scoring fell on Mystix goal attack Tenelle Lapsey, who scored 22 goals from 29 attempts. With Mystix having scoring problem, the Shamrocks led for most of the second half, or at least so it seemed. Now, with only seconds left in the game, the scoreboard showed that the Shamrocks were up by two goals.
So, Shamrocks slowed down their game and instead of seeking to score more goals decided to take care of the ball until the final whistle. The scoreboard stated the Shamrocks had won 38-36, and became the league’s champions. However, according to the game’s officials, the score was wrong, and the game had truly ended in a tie at 38-38.
Everybody, it seemed, started to argue. Shamrocks’ management officials announced that they will file an objection. League officials told Sun St. Kitts/Nevis an emergency meeting would be held today to solve the problem.