Top teams meet in Intercol netball semis
AFTER A dominant season so far, the unbeaten University of West Indies ‘A’ netball team will be hoping to continue that trend today when they go up against the University of Technology (UTech), in semifinal action of the Intercol netball competition at The Mico University College, starting at 5:45 p.m.
Defending champions, Mico A’ will face G.C. Foster College ‘A’ at 4:30 p.m. in the other semi-final.
UWI ‘A’, which started the season as the favourites for the title, will be hoping to secure safe passage to Saturday’s senior final as they continue their hunt for their first title in five years.
After being knocked out by the Shanice Beckford-led UTech team at the semi-finals stage of the opening rally earlier this season, UWI exacted revenge with an impressive win over their opponents in the preliminary round of the senior league and are widely expected to again overpower their opponents today and take their place in the championship match.
DOUBLE THREAT
Beckford, along with her national senior partner Jodi-Ann Ward, will pose a threat to the UWI backline, but despite their abilities, they will have difficulty against the experienced Shamera Sterling and Latanya Wilson in the UWI defence, as the Pelicans go in search of a seventh straight win.
A close affair is expected in the encounter between many-time champions Mico ‘A’ and G.C. Foster College ‘A’, with Mico, which have won the title seven times in the last nine years, looking to book their spot in the final and spring a surprise there.
W i t h n a t i o n a l s e n i o r representatives Jhaniele Fowler and Kadie Ann Dehaney out for this season and a new-look squad charged with continuing the team’s rich legacy, Mico have been found wanting this season, already losing twice.
It is the first time in four years that they have suffered two losses in a campaign, as they were beaten at home by four goals by G.C. Foster before losing by 10 goals away to UWI.
However, Mico will be hoping that Mischa Creary and Crystal Crawford, who both competed on the weekend for their respective club teams at the Florida Netball Classics, will be able to help power them to another final.
Meanwhile, the Intermediate semi-finals are also on today, with Moneague Teachers’ College battling with UWI ‘B’ at 2:30 p.m. while defending champions, Mico ‘B’ will square off against G.C. Foster College ‘B’ at 3:30 p.m.