The defensive effort of goal-keeper Garbrel Selmon and goal-defence Onella Jack combined with the patience of goal-attack Simone Morgan earned Fire Service the chance to compete for the Premiership Divsion knockout title in the Courts All Sectors Netball League.
The firewomen met the University of T&T (UTT) in the semi-finals on Thursday evening at the Centre of Excellence in Macoya, and won 29-22 to advance to the title-match against Police Youth Club (PYC) tomorrow at the same venue.
PYC progressed to the title match after an easy 40-17 victory over the University of the West Indies (UWI) in the other semifinal earlier.
Morgan, who started for Fire in the wing-attack bib, entered the circle replacing Afeisha Noel (1/2) as the goal-attack in the second half after their team trailed 14-11 at half-time.
This was thanks to UTT goal-shooter Anastascia Wilson (15/17), another former national shooter, who combined well with goal-attack Aquila Blugh (7/12), a former Fire player, in the fast-paced affair.
Morgan's presence inside the circle calmed down play for Fire and it fought back to go ahead 21-8 halfway through the second session of the 20-minute half.
UTT did not go away though and battled back as well to tie the score at 21 with 8.23 to go in the match.
Fire defensive duo Selmon and Jack boosted by wing-defence Fiona Holder kept working though and forced a number of turnovers which goal-shooter Jameela McCarthy (24/26) and Morgan (4/4) converted to goals.
However Fire was not immuned to mistakes too and Morgan turned over the ball giving UTT a chance to lessen its deficit but the University players turned it right back over and from there Fire cleaned up its act.
With the able national centre Candice Guerrero controlling the centre-court alongside Ayana Hamlet, who was substituted into the wing-attack position left vacant by Morgan in the change at half-time.
The Fire team raced to a 26-22 lead with 1.23 left in the match and from there it was all Fire which went on to claim the seven-goal- win.
In the other semi-final earlier, PYC led by national captain Joelisa Cooper (17/19) played all over UWI to book its spot in the final.
National youth players Cheynelle Dolland (11/17), Tahirah Hollingsworth (11/13) and Tiana Dillon (1/4) are also part of the PYC shooting outfit. Dolland added and Hollingsworth produced in the huge victory.
Earlier, TSTT and Police battled for the Retro Division knockout title but they could not be separated and shared the crown after they we tied at 11 and the end of regulation time.
It is the second title for the TSTT team, who emerged joint champions with Bermudez in the division's Fast Five competition some three weeks ago.
Results
Premiership Division
UWI 17 (Nicola Solomon 0/2, Akeela Rodriguez 5/8, Daystar Swift 12/15) vs PYC 40 (Cheynelle Dolland 11/17, Tahirah Hollingsworth 11/13, Tiana Dillon 1/4, Joelisa Cooper 17/19). Halftime: 22-3 (PYC).
UTT 22 (Anastascia Wilson 15/17, Aquila Blugh 7/12) vs Fire 29 (Afeisha Noel 1/2, Jameela McCarthy 24/28, Simone Morgan 4/4). Halftime: 14-11 (UTT).
Retro Division
Knockout final
Police 11 (Donna Charles 3/6, Beverly Hernandez 8/9) vs TSTT 11 (Debra Allie 7/13, Camille Aubin 4/5).
Tomorrow's matches
Retro Division
Bermudez vs Harlem, 5.30 pm
Les Enfants vs TSTT, 6.20 pm
Premiership Division
PYC vs Fire, 7.15 pm