Derica Haynes played a superb goal attack role to lift St Philip Blazers to a remarkable 26-21 victory over St George and take the title when the inaugural Barbados Netball Association’s Under-21 Parish Community Netball Tournament climaxed on Sunday night at the Wildey Gymnasium.
In a battle between the two unbeaten teams, Haynes triggered a pivotal final quarter to ignite the Blazers after trailing 4-6, 6-11 and 12-16 at the end of the first three quarters, respectively. At that stage, the most outstanding shooter Rynia Ifill looked on course to pilot St George to the crown.
However, a tactical move by coach Tricia Briggs to pull her daughter, Under-16 national player Tyesha Trotman from the goal attack position to give Haynes that bib while giving six-footer Zakaiya Hunte the goal shooter role paid great dividends.
While Hunte did not take a shot in that quarter she played a great decoy dragging the defence to give Haynes free passage at goal.