Trinidadians Elki Phillip/Pauline Woodroffe first defeated Sharon Bovell/Antazhia Mason 2-0 (21-15, 21-16) before Ayana Dyette/Kelly-Anne Billingy edged Anizia Wood/Shari Matthews 2-1 (21-18, 18-21, 16-14) in an intense match decided by two effective serves by Dyette. Both countries booked tickets to next year’s Zonal Phase Tournament against the top four countries from Eastern Caribbean (St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, Antigua & Barbuda and Dominica). Curacao and Jamaica completed the top four teams from the Caribbean Sub Zone but not before strong battles in “golden sets” under the sunny skies at Chaguanas Beach. Samira Luis/Christine Anthony of Curacao prevailed 15-13 against Cheryl Brunings/Kim Karsters of Suriname while Jamaicans’ Nardrake Hutchinson/Tsahai Williams defeated Nysha Lindo/Valissia Brathwaite of U.S. Virgin Islands 15-12. The bronze medal went to Curacao when Luis/Anthony erased a 9-5 deficit to overcome Hutchinson/Williams 15-12 in a golden set. In Sunday’s morning matches, Luis/Anthony defeated Suriname’s Pamela Gilds/Xaviera Willemsberg 21-16, 21-9 to tie the series following the 21-14, 24-22 loss of Yari Rivas/Sue-yenne Martina to Brunings/Karsters. Also, Lindo/Brathwaite defeated Shanique Green/ Cherie Thompson (21-18, 10-21, 15-12) before losing 21-18, 21-18 to the hands of Hutchinson/Williams. The Zonal Phase Tournament between the top four teams from the Caribbean and Eastern Caribbean is scheduled to be played on June 2011. | |