Conquest defeated Couples Tower Isle and Eltham stopped Bethel Town as as action continued in the Sandals/ Beaches Ocho Rios Eltham Netball Community League last weekend.

In the opening match at the Eltham Community Centre in St Ann, Conquest proved too strong for the hotel team handing them a 30-11 drubbing with Oneil Steward scoring 18 from 22 attempts and Sanjay Lugg eight from 17. Simone Maragh led the shooting for the Couples team scoring five from nine attempts.

Speaking after the game, Donnette Pottinger, manager of the Conquest team who also played wing attack, said: “We had a great game, kept our composure and made the right changes at the right time. Though the game was intense we executed well rendering our team victorious.”

Pottinger further noted that the score didn’t really reflect the intensity and competitive nature of the game. “It was a hard fight right to the final whistle,” she noted.

In the feature encounter, Eltham were in scintillating form, easily disposing of Bethel Town 48-28. Kimberly Hudson was on top of her game netting 27 goals from just 30 attempts. She was well supported by goal attack Kurt Dale with 21 from 26 attempts. Michael “Tall Man” Donaldson was the leading marksman for Bethel Town scoring 17 from 20 tries.

Top shooter Kimberly Hudson told journalists following her outstanding performance that “we came out to play”.

“Bethel Town is a very established netball team with quality players, however, we were mentally and physically prepared. We knew it would have been a tough contest and the score really doesn’t reflect the physicality, but we supported and played for each other and came out victorious,” said Hudson.

Hudson scored 19 from 22 attempts and was well supported by Kurt Dale 13 of 16. Conquest were led by Raheem Chambers who shot 15 from 21 and Sanjay Lugg three of seven.

Eltham team captain Kurt Dale was full of praise for his team which he said was peaking at the right time and had a great shot at winning the title. He praised Sandals and Beaches Ocho Rios hotels, which comprise Sandals Royal Plantation, Sandals Ochi Beach Resort and Beaches Ocho Rios for their sponsorship of the event which was providing an invaluable outlet for community netball talent.

“Thanks to Sandals and Beaches our youths are finding an outlet for their talents and we are so grateful for this opportunity,” Dale pointed out. “We were in dire need for help to get the league going and now we are so happy for the opportunity afforded us to play the game we love. Each Sunday the entire comes out to watch and support the players,” he said.

Sandals Resorts regional public relations manager for the Ocho Rios region Ian Spencer noted that the company was pleased to be giving back to the community in the area of ssports.

“There is so much we do in our community outreach programme, but sports has a special place in our hearts as it helps channel the energies of young people, keeping them away from less productive activities,” said the Sandals official.

Spencer thanked the three general managers in the area – Brian Roper, Ramel Sobrino and Arnold Nugent – for their vision in assisting the community league.

“We recently upgraded the Eltham Community Centre through a joint project between the Sandals Foundation and Jet Blue Airlines and we are so happy to see the place being properly utilised,” Spencer stated.