Barbados pull through

SINGAPORE (CMC):

Barbados withstood a 100 per cent shooting performance from Tharjini Sivalingam to prevail over Sri Lanka 63-59 in the World Championship yesterday.

The Barbadians came under pressure in the final quarter, when the Sri Lankans forced them into a number of unforced errors during the latter stages, but they kept their nerve down the stretch, and their greater experience pulled them through at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Barbados were almost undermined by Sivalingham. She shot a perfect 59 goals from 59 attempts, and was the only scorer for her side, who outscored the Caribbean side 19-11 in the final period.

Lydia Bishop sunk 37 from 44 for Barbados, and Nikita Piggott netted 26 from 34.

The match started slowly, but it was clear by the end of the first quarter, with Barbados leading 18-13, they were going to have a tight game on their hands.

It was everything you hope to see in a match - bodies on the line, committed intercepts, hard drives, flashy passing, and a fierce battle to gain any edge possible.

Both teams had their fair share of the lead, but Barbados struggled in the second quarter, holding on to a 34-31 half-time lead, and they also found the going difficult in the third period, but still led 48-44 entering the final stanza.

Outstepping her defenders

The Barbadians really showed their mettle, with the usually immobile Bishop outstepping her defenders, keeping them high, and then dropping back into the pocket with ease.

Piggott exuded dynamism, and set up a lot of the play for her team, as Barbados steeled themselves for a hard slog in the final period, overcoming a four-goal deficit, and snatching the victory from a gutsy Sri Lankan side.

Barbados face Fiji today in another play-off that could determine whether they keep their World No.9 status, or play for a position lower down in the Championship.