Bermuda have sent a resounding message to their rivals, delivering a dominant performance to defeat hosts St. Maarten 44-23 and secure their place in the final of the Battle of the Isle Netball Tournament. From the very first whistle, the Bermuda 'Longtails' played with an intensity and precision that left their opponents stunned.
Bermuda's Starting Seven:
GS: Inshan-Nae Smith
GA: Zakiyah Durham
WA: Selah Tuzo
C: Debre Evans
WD: Demiqua Daniels
GD: Kiante Lightbourne
GK: Khianda Pearman-Watson
From the outset, Bermuda's intent was clear. With adrenaline high and confidence soaring, the Longtails established an immediate rhythm. Their athleticism and agility proved too much for St. Maarten, who struggled to contain Bermuda's slick passing and sharp shooting. By the end of the first quarter, Bermuda had already built a commanding lead, finishing 14-2. Zakiyah Durham was particularly impressive, sinking 8 goals, ably supported by Inshan-Nae Smith with 6.
Bermuda's dominance continued into the second quarter, not just in attack but with a suffocating defence. The formidable duo of Khianda Pearman-Watson at Goal Keeper and Demiqua Daniels at Wing Defence were immense, shutting down St. Maarten's attacking efforts with unmatched man-to-man marking. Their relentless pressure ensured scoring opportunities were scarce for the hosts.
Meanwhile, the scoring continued at the other end, with Zakiyah Durham bagging all 10 of Bermuda’s goals in the quarter. The Longtails went into halftime with a formidable 24-8 lead.
The third quarter saw Bermuda’s coaching staff strategically introduce fresh legs, bringing on Kaylee Lema at Centre and Jahtuere Trott at Wing Attack. These rotations allowed key players some much-needed rest without any dip in performance. Bermuda continued to control the tempo and extend their lead, ending the quarter 36-15, with Smith adding 4 goals and Durham another 8 to her impressive tally.
Despite further rotations in the final quarter, Bermuda maintained their composure and lead. At the final whistle, the Longtails secured a comfortable 44-23 victory, sealing their spot in the final.
Goal Scorers Breakdown:
Zakiyah Durham: 29 goals
Inshan-Nae Smith: 10 goals
Keizhari Knight: 3 goals
Jahkenya Trott: 1 goal
Jahtuere Trott: 1 goal
Path to World Ranking and The Final Challenge
Bermuda's journey isn't over yet. In a bid to regain their world ranking, they will first face Guadeloupe at 10 AM (Bermuda Time) tomorrow morning. Following that crucial fixture, the Longtails will then prepare for the ultimate test: the final against Canada at 9 PM (Bermuda Time).
The stage is set for a thrilling day of netball as Bermuda aims to capture the Battle of the Isle title and significantly boost their international standing.
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