Holmwood, Denbigh top rural netball zones

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Holmwood Technical and former champions Denbigh High topped their respective Zones of the ISSA rural Schoolgirl Netball competition on Tuesday after big wins helped them book spots in the second round of the competition.

Playing at home in their final preliminary-round game, Holmwood, who won their first rural and all-island junior title last year, made it four from four with the 42-13 thrashing of Knox in Zone D.

The Carline Graham-Powell-coached team joined their senior team in the next round.

The senior team, who had big blowouts in their four matches, will be hoping to make up for last year’s disappointment of failing to make it to the final.

Former champions Denbigh also remained unbeaten in junior action, finishing preliminary-round action in Zone F with the 50-2 mauling of Central High School.

Last year’s beaten finalists, Glenmuir High look set to join Denbigh in the second round after a massive 61-4 win over Central High.

Glenmuir, who were beaten 28-18 by Denbigh in their previous match, look set to finish second in the zone when they play away to Foga Road High in their final preliminary- round game on Friday.

In other games on Tuesday, Zone A’s Rhodes Hall High edged Green Island High, 15-14; Mount Alvernia High stopped The Manning’s School 17-5 in Zone B; and in Zone E, May Day High got the better of Belair High 30-22.

In Zone G, Dinthill Technical had a 19-16 win over Charlemont, and Old Harbour High outscored Enid Bennett High, 21-19.

Over in Zone H, St Mary Technical came out 13-6 winners over Iona, while Brown’s Town easily got the better of Aabuthnott Gallimore, 18-6.

There were also four senior matches on Tuesday with defending rural and all-island champions, Glenmuir leading the way.

Competing in Group F, Glenmuir ended the preliminary round on top with an easy 68-6 win over Thompson Town High.

In another Zone F encounter, former champions Denbigh High booked their second-round spot with the 61-4 whipping Central High. Denbigh finished second in the zone behind Glenmuir.

Alphansus Davis stopped Bellefield 21-14 for a rare win in Zone D, while Morant Bay High took down Titchfield, 25-13, in their Zone I matchup.

The second round of competition will begin next week Friday for both juniors and seniors.