Big teams clash in Elite League netball semis

Last year's beaten finalist and favourites St Catherine Racers and Clarendon will clash in the feature semi-final of Berger Paints Elite League at the Leila Robinson Courts today starting at 5:30 p.m.

In the day's other semi-final matchup, St James Sharpes and Manchester Spurs will clash at 7:30 p.m.

The match between the Sharpes and Spurs should be very close as both teams are evenly matched in all departments. Both sides split the season's series at 1-1.

The Jennifer Brown-coached Sharpes finished second in the standings with 19 points.

Their record includes six wins, one draw and three losses. The Sharpes are considered to be a very experienced and well-balanced team.

The Sharpes have dominated games in mid-court, with their national players Paula Thompson, Sasher-Gaye Henry, along with Denise Smith.

With Deneen Taylor and former national player Jodi-Ann Ffrench running the attacking circle, the Sharpes also boast a very powerful shooting line-up.

On the other hand, the Spurs cemented their place in the semi-final, after finishing third in the standings on 18 points. Their record includes six wins and four loses.

The Spurs will assemble a very powerful attacking line-up, which includes the competition's leading scorer Shantal Slater, Crystal Grant and Zonasha Hinds.

They also have a very solid defensive unit that includes national player Vangelee Williams and Tracey-Ann Francis.

The Racers will enter today's contest against the Gaters oozing confidence, this after defeating their opponents twice in the regular season.

The Christopher Smart-coached Racers finished atop the standings with 21 points, which includes seven wins and three loses. They are the top-shooting team in the competition with 40 goals per game.

The Racers will be relying heavily on the likes of national goal attack Ann-Kay Griffiths, along with goal shooter LaDonna Lamoth, to lead their charge to victory.

They are expected to receive good support from national player Khadijah Williams and Malysha Kelly, along with former national player Samantha White.

On the other hand, the Gaters are the best defensive team in this year's competition. They have conceded an average of 33 goals per game.

The Danton Hinds-conditioned team finished fourth in the standings on 16 points. They recorded five wins, four loses and one draw.

National captain defender Nicole Aiken-Pinnock along with former national representative Kasey Evering will lead the Gaters' defensive unit. At the other end of the court, national Under-21 player Simone Gordon and Claudia Collender will lead the Gaters attack, while Apryl Thompson and Tracy-Ann Robinson will marshal the centre court.