Phoenix Heat and Lindo’s Tigers kept the Bermuda Netball Association Senior League title race exciting by winning their respective matches at Bernard Park on Saturday.

Tigers defeated St George’s 40-33 to maintain their spot at the top of the table before Heat, who had their midweek game in hand against St George’s postponed due to weather, picked up their seventh win on the trot with a 55-35 triumph over Storm.

Best attacker Jahkenya Trott scored 28 goals for Tigers, her twin sister Jahtuere contributed eight points and four came from Candace Paynter. Centre Kaylee Lema was adjudged the Tigers MVP and Diarrah Benjamin the most outstanding defender.

St George’s coach Nicole Smith, forced to play as her team was short of players, top scored with 18 goals to be voted her side’s MVP with Kristen Holman adding 15 points. Kiarrah Rogers picked up the best attacker for St George’s, with Lorene Philips chosen as the most outstanding defender.

Jahtuere, the Tigers captain, felt they did not have a perfect game against a vastly improved St George’s side.

“We made the game harder than it should have been,’’ she said. “We started off a bit shaky in the first two quarters and took the lead in the third and fourth quarter.

“We weren’t taking our time, we were throwing away balls but we picked it up in the second half of the game.

“The score was pretty close especially for St George’s and they played a really good game. We never underestimate a team and St George’s have definitely progressed to become the most improved team in the league.

Tigers have two tough matches to go against North Village and Heat, the only team that has beaten them this season.

“Those two should be a bit tough but I think we can handle it,’’ the Tigers captain said.

“We just have to play our game and we shouldn't let the other team affect us. We have to take our time and score goals.”

Danielle Raynor continued to prove why she is the best goal shooter on the island with 47 goals for Heat. Goal attack Ebonie Cox, voted the best attacker for the winning side, contributed eight points.

Centre Dominique Richardson made a huge contribution on her return for Heat to be voted the MVP, with Nyisha Saunders deemed the best defender.

Richardson is eager to play a part in Heat’s remaining three matches, as they seek yet another league title.

“It was a good game, always competitive against Storm and we came out on top,” Richardson said.

“One thing about Phoenix is we've been playing together for a very long time. Although we’re not the fittest team, we know each other very well, so we play together as a team really great.

“We’re going to approach the last three games the same as every game. We take one game at a time, give it our best effort, continue playing the way that we’re playing and hopefully, come the end of the season, we’re lifting the trophy again.

“Tigers are another tough team but if we stick to our game plan, I’m always going to put my money on Phoenix winning the league.”

Selah Tuzo was exceptional for Storm in her first appearance for the team since the Covid-19 pandemic. Tuzo, 20, a student at Canada’s York University, capped off her return with a contribution of eight goals to be voted MVP for the vanquished side.

“Based on how my defence played and how I played, I wish the result was a bit better,’’ Tuzo said.

“I really enjoyed playing against Phoenix, I didn't think I would be fit enough to play. I'm very proud of how my team carried itself, we showed great character.

“I’ll be returning to school within a couple of weeks, so I won’t be able to finish the rest of the season with my team.