Jamaicans go down in semi-finals

PORT OF SPAIN, T'dad (CMC):

Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago's women produced outstanding performances to clinch spots in the final and berths in the next round of the Caribbean zonal phase of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball qualifying tournament on Saturday.

Playing in the semi-finals at Saith Park, both Barbadian teams continued their unbeaten runs, while there were mixed fortunes for the T&T side, with one team stumbling at the penultimate hurdle.

In the men's category, teams from T&T and the Bahamas also booked spots in the final, while also advancing to the next round of qualifiers, which are geared towards the London 2012 Olympics.

Barbados made a huge statement as both their teams continued their dominance in the tournament.

Extended success

The pair of Anthazia Mason and Sharon Bovell shot down the Jamaican duo of Shanique Green and Cherie Thompson 21-14, 21-11, before Anicia Wood and Shari Matthews extended the country's success by dismissing Nardrake Hutchinson and Tshai Williams of Jamaica, 21-5, 21-17.

T&T, meanwhile, were led by the pair of Kelly-Anne Billingy and Ayanna Dyette, who beat Yanila Rivas-Warington and Martina Sue-Yenne of Curaçao 21-9, 21-9, and Christine Anthony and Shamira Luis courtesy of a tie-breaking golden set.

The other Trinidadian pair of Pauline Woodroffe and Elki Phillip went down to Christine Anthony and Shamira Luis of Curaçao 21-15, 21-15.

On the other side of the draw, the Bahamian pair of Renaldo Knowles and Muller Petit stunned Jamaicans Dellon Brown and Stephen Yee Sing 21-19, 21-12, before returning to upset the favoured pair of Wayne Scott and Andre McLean via a golden set.

T&T's Fabien Whitfield and Daneil Williams won both their matches, defeating Elmelindo Robles De Medina and Fransua Angela of Aruba 21-13, 21-13 and ousting Mitchel Daniel and Eargenell De Cuba also of Aruba.