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DeShields continues rich vein of form

Sharp shooter: New Life goal shooter Deborah DeshieldsPhoto by Akil Simmons

One of the biggest unanswered questions in netball these days is can anyone find a way to stop Deborah DeShields from scoring?The veteran New Life goal shooter is currently on an extraordinary goal scoring streak that has seen her amass more points in her last three outings than DC Warriors and North Village Lady Rams Too combined.DeShields has rattled up 172 points in her last three appearances for her team and last weekend at Bernard Park she virtually single-handedly destroyed Signworx Netts. The veteran player erupted for 55 points to spur New Life to an emphatic 65-37 rout over their Senior Winter League rivals.DeShields has over three decades of experience under her belt and even though she is one of the most senior players in the sport she continues to show little signs of slowing down.“I’ve always enjoyed this sport coming up from Primary School,” she said. “I’ve been playing for so long I just love the sport.“This is the best sport I’ve played and I’ve been playing for over 30 years. When I get out there I just seem to let go.”As one of the most senior players in local netball many look to DeShields for inspiration and advice.“The respectful name these days is aunt,” she smiled. “As one of the few most experienced players left some of the younger players look up to me and ask for hints and I do help them out.”New Life’s fourth win of the season catapulted them to the top of the points standings on goal difference over Young Men’s Social Club Lady Bluebirds and defending league champs Data Tech Netts who have a game-in-hand on the leaders.DeShields hopes her team can go all the way to the championship.“We had a few bumps last season and so hopefully this season will be a better year,” she said.Elsewhere at Bernard Park at the weekend Lady Bluebirds and Data Tech Netts both stretched their unbeaten streaks to four games after seeing off North Village Lady Rams Too and YMSC Blazing Bluebirds in equally convincing fashion.Danielle Raynor scored a game -high 42 points to inspire Lady Bluebirds to a lopsided 62-15 win over winless Lady Rams Too. Vernicka Symonds replied with eight points for Lady Rams Too who remained anchored at the bottom of the pile.Data Tech Netts also had things all their own way against Blazing Bluebirds with Denise Rawlins leading the defending champions’ charge with 24 points. Akiela Hendrickson led the Blazing Bluebirds scoring with eight points.Warwick Pink Panthers sank their claws into DC Warriors to claim their second win of the season. The Pink Panthers thrashed DC Warriors 45-18 with Darrika Woodley-Simons leading the way with 22 points.Simons was ably supported in attack by Kirsten Saltus who chipped in with 14 points while Theresa Bragman led the DC Warriors scoring with seven points.Also savouring the sweet taste of victory was North Village Lady Rams who edged Smooth and Easy Tigers 38-34 in a match that could’ve gone either way. Nikita Trott poured in a game -high 20 points for Lady Rams who were forced to dig deep for their second win of the season.Smooth and Easy Tigers, who slumped to their second league loss of the season, replied through JahKenya Trott (24 pts) and JahTuere Trott (10 pts) who accounted for all of their team’s scoring.