Jamaica's Under-16 goalkeeper Ashley Henry (right) moving to block a goal attempt by Barbados' goalshooter Tanisha Rock-Yaw (left) during last night's Jean Pierre Caribbean Netball Championships game at the Leila Robinson Courts. Jamaica won 54-19. Jamaica's goal defence Shereesha Richards (with back to camera) looks on. - Winston Sill

Jamaica's Under-16 netball coach, Joan Cargill, expressed great satisfaction with the team's performance last night after they scored an overwhelming 54-19 win over Barbados at the Leila Robinson Courts.

"This was a very important game for us, especially at this stage of the competition, and this performance goes to show that the girls have grown from strength to strength with the hard work that we have put in and now is it paying off for us," Cargill said after they eased past the Barbadians.

Barbados' coach Julie Phillips blamed the heavy defeat on "crucial mistakes".

"All credit to the Jamaican team because I think they passed well and moved the ball into space and they were very hungry for the ball," Phillips added.

Jamaica's fourth

The victory was Jamaica's fourth consecutive in the Jean Pierre Caribbean Championships. In other games played last night, Trinidad and Tobago defeated St Lucia 40-26 and Dominica beat Guyana 38-11.

Jamaica began the match superbly as goalshooter Marvadean Anderson, who was voted the top shooter at the last tournament in Antigua and Barbuda, was in fine form. She converted 19 of her game high 49 from 60 attempts in the first period to give the hosts a 22-11 lead at half-time.

The junior Sunshine Girls then mesmerised the Barbadians in the third quarter with their quick stylish play and quick off-the-ball movements, which led to them outscoring their opponents 16-3 for a 38-14 lead at the end of the period.

Playing in front of packed stands in the fourth quarter, the Barbadians proved no match for the Jamaicans, who crippled their opponents with the tight defence and aggressiveness, in the process holding them just five goals in the quarter. Anderson received solid support from Deneen Taylor, who scored five goals from 12 attempts.

Tanisha Rock-Yaw 13 goals from 16 attempts and Shannon Hackett, six goals from seven attempts.

The junior Sunshine Girls who are down to face Guyana today, are now two wins away from securing their third straight hold on the title and their eighth overall.

Today's games: Jamaica vs Guyana at 6:45 p.m. Trinidad and Tobago vs Barbados at 6:15 p.m. and Dominica vs the Cayman Islands at 6 p.m.