Campion's netballers face XLCR test

DEFENDING Senior urban netball champions Excelsior High will start the defence of their title today when action in groups C and E in the ISSA schoolgirl competition continues today among senior and junior teams.

The defending champions, who compete in Group C, will open their campaign away to Campion College and are expected to get off to a winning start.

In a recent interview with The Gleaner, head coach Christopher Smart, who last year tasted success in what was his first season in charge of the team, remains very confident that his unit can go all the away, despite losing a few of his top players to local tertiary institutions.

"We have lost 50 per cent of our players from last year's winning team, but we will be stronger this season as we have gotten some top players from other high, school teams", said Smart.

Last year's captain, Crystal Crawford, who plays at centre, will lead the charge for the defending champions along with wing attack Latian Stewart and Zaudi Green, who plays at both ends of the court. They were also members of last year's winning team.

They will be joined by newcomers, Racoya Douglas, who played at the goal shooter position for St Hugh's last year, along with former Haile Selassie High defender Natassia Duncanson.

Despite coming off a good 33 -17 win over former champions St Hugh's in their opening match last Friday, the Campion College girls will have a hard task in maintaining their winning record here, as the defending champions look set to start their campaign with a big win.

Both teams will also meet in, junior action, starting at 2:30 p.m., as Campion will be hoping to bounce back from a defeat at the hands of St Hugh's in their opening match, where they were beaten 25-8.

Other matches on today

Group C

- St Hugh's vs Alpha

Group D

- Cumberland vs Mona

-St Mary's College vs Meadowbrook

- Tivoli vs Donald Quarrie