Marvadean Anderson - Junior Dowie

ST JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC)

As expected, Jamaica began the defence of their title by easily defeating Dominica in one of four matches at the start of the Jean Pierre Caribbean Netball Association (CNA) Under-16 tournament on Sunday night.

Led by Marvadean Anderson with 14 goals, the six-time champions outplayed Dominica 38-10 at the YMCA Sports Complex.

Deneen Taylor (12) and captain Samantha White (11) also scored heavily for Jamaica, who are aiming to add to titles they won in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2006.

Another title contender, Barbados, overcame St Lucia 40-21.

Shannon Hackett scored 27 goals and Rhea Holder 13 for the winners while Dianna Hypolette scored 11 goals for the St Lucians.

Trinidad and Tobago defeated ex-champions St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) 28-14 and hosts Antigua and Barbuda lost to Grenada 19-12 in the night's other matches.

Cecelia Roberts scored 13 goals for the Grenadines.

Jamaica were scheduled to play St Lucia last night.

Montserrat pulled out of the tournament, resulting in a new competition format.

Instead of having the teams split into two groups, all teams will now play each other in a round-robin league.