A&A connects !

Age and wisdom outplayed youth recently in the 2012 Barbados Workers' Union competition when former champions A&A Connections led by former Barbados and West Indies player Lydia 'Lebron'Bishop,Renee 'Tutaia' Rudder and a hyped up supporting cast gave the national U-21 squad a lesson in netball blasting them 59-49 in the Sir Roy Trotman Zone.

The less than flattering and often times flat-footed squad at times seemed as though they were confused as to what they were supposed to be doing and were caught marking their team-mates much to the annoyance of the coaching personnel.

Without laying all the blame on the players themselves, this lack of court awareness may be the result of the lack of court craft which has apparently not been coached. The combinations too made little to zero sense especially in the second half of the game when a two-time Caribbean's Best Shooter (U-16 level) and senior national goal shooter was given the unenviable task of marking 'Lebron' while her sister was given an equally hard task of marking 'Tutaia'.

When an older but wiser and wily Sandra Forde ( A&A) was able to  neutralise the starting goal shooter of the U-21 squad,many felt that the coach would introduce the shooter into the  game but NOT in the defensive goal circle.

The U-21 squad is playing in a competition  below the level of the  World Youth Championships but are often times showing a state of unreadiness both on and off court ( not players). Sure they have the basics ( good catching skills) as they are the best netballers in that age group in the island but what seems sadly lacking is the overall preparation for Scotland 2013.

To be beaten in double figures by an A&A Connections team (which doesn't practice) by double figures is cause for some concern. To be literally outplayed in every quarter and every position is cause for concern.

So....who do we blame? The still vacationing BNA executive or the management of the U-21 squad?? My vote is the BOARD !!!!!!!!!!!!!! ** Reasons to be revealed later**

Stats :
A&A Connections - 17-32-49-59
U-21 Squad          - 12-24-40-49

A&A Connections
Lydia Bishop - 32/34
Renee Rudder - 27/36

U-21 Squad
Chemyne Alleyne - 23/29
Shannon Hackett - 20/23
Vanessa Reid Cox - 6/11