Gaynstead hunt double success as netball champions fall

IT WAS not a day for champions at the Leila Robinson Courts on Wednesday during the Urban Area ISSA Schoolgirl Netball championships semi-finals as defending Junior and Senior champions, St Catherine High and Gaynstead, respectively, were both eliminated. Norman Manley got the better of St Catherine High 31-27 in the Junior section, while Excelsior were brought down to Earth by the Spanish Town-based team in the Seniors in a 37-31 result.

Also advancing to the finals were Gaynstead’s junior and senior teams after comfortable wins in both matches.

The Gaynstead juniors got the better of St Hugh’s, 39-17, before their seniors hammered many-time champions The Queen’s School 43-26.

After a one-goal loss to St Catherine High in the Junior final last year, the Dalton Hinds-coached Gaynstead team – the 2016 champions – were determined to continue that trend in their match against St Hugh’s. They made their intention clear from the onset, racing into a 16-4 lead after the first quarter and a 21-10 half-time lead. They closed the third quarter 31-15 in front before closing out the game for a 22-goal win with a 39-17 scoreline.

It was a much different affair in the St CatherineNorman Manley Junior encounter as Norman Manley, who went unbeaten all season, were desperate to continue that run despite playing the defending champions. It was St Catherine that took the early initiative as they led 8-7 after the first quarter, but Norman Manley went in front at the half-time break, leading 16-14, and maintained their advantage throughout for their four-goal win.

BIG FAVOURITES BEATEN

Among the Seniors, Christopher Smart’s Excelsior team were big favourites to get the better of St Catherine High. However, St Catherine surprised their opponents by controlling the match 11-6 and 19-13 after the first two quarters and remained in front throughout with 29-24 and 37-31 scores, as goal attack Felecia Brown top-scored for the winners with 27 goals from 33 attempts.

“We came into the game without our goalkeeper, but we were determined to go all the way, and the girls were motivated after seeing the junior team losing earlier. We are going into the final with great expectations, and we are determined to win the title,” said Phyllis Thompson, coach of St Catherine.

Gaynstead will be hoping to win their first Senior title after reaching the finals for the past three years, and they totally dominated Queen’s, 12-7, 19-13, 31-19 and 43-26, in all quarters for a resounding win. Goal shooter Britany Logan top-scored for the winners with 28 goals from 32 attempts.

Coach Dalton Hinds is hoping for double success for his teams in the finals.

“It is good to be in the finals once again as last year, we lost narrowly in both finals, and we are hoping that we can go one place better this time around. The girls have worked hard all season and are determined to win both titles. We respect our opponents as they must have done something right to be in the finals, but our girls are playing extremely well, and we are definitely looking forward to the finals.”