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Sabreena Smith (right) from Barbados and Hamlima Nakacwa from Uganda in a battle for the ball during the third and final Netball game at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium on Sunday.

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Barbados’ Shonica Wharton came off the bench and made an impressive impact inside the shooting circle.

Bajan Gems hammered by Uganda

THE Bajan Gems felt the full weight of an angry Uganda She Cranes team who took revenge for their second Test lost with a dominant performance in the third and final Netball Test at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium.

The She Cranes, who are ranked 7th, had fallen in the second game as the 11th-ranked Gems won a series levelling Test.

In the final game on Sunday, the She Cranes came out to avenge this lost and took the Bajan Gems apart as they blasted the home team out of the water with their fast pace and execution to cruise to an easy 46-28 victory.

The closest Barbados got was the opening goals when the score was tied on 1-1 as Uganda went on a 7-0 run immediately afterwards.

Barbados seemed to be a step behind each time, despite the large crowd trying to cheer and keep them in the game.

Barbados lost Wing Attack Damisha Croney in the first quarter with what looked like a right foot injury and Tonisha Rock-Yaw replaced her in the line-up.

However, the She Cranes ensured they never got into it as they sprinted and executed their triangle offence impressively to move the ball around and up the court, while Barbados struggled at times to even get a player free when they had possession.

At the end of the first quarter, Barbados failed to take care of the ball and were down 13-5.

Things did not get any better for the host in the second quarter as Goal Attack Latonia Blackman exited the game with an injury worry.

Barbados was forced to make some changes: Shonte Seale came in at Wing Defence, Rock-Yaw moved from Wing Attack to Centre, Sabreena Smith moved from Centre to Wing Attack and Nikita Payne came in for Blackman at Goal Shoot.

Uganda made no changes as they were looking to make a statement after their second game lost and they continued to push the fast tempo, outscoring Barbados 11-4 to lead at the half 24-9.

Blackman and Croney returned after half-time, while Rieah Holder came in as Centre and Goal Shoot Shonica Wharton sat down.

In this quarter, Barbados managed to match the goals of Uganda, thanks to a 8-1 initially.

At the start of the fourth quarter, Uganda made some changes to their line-up with two players coming in.

This did not affect their chemistry as the ball was still flying into the space where their players sprinted and met the ball.

Barbados was outscored in this quarter and Uganda won 46-28. (CG)

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