Gaynstead face tough test early in schoolgirl netball second round

FOLLOWING PRELIMINARY-round action in the ISSA Urban Schoolgirl netball competition, teams now turn their attention to hunting for semifinal spots as the first of five set of matches in the second round begins tomorrow at the Leila Robinson netball courts starting at 11:30 a.m. with the juniors.

Both winners and runners-up among junior and senior teams from the respective zones were placed in two groups. Following action in the second round, the winners and second-place teams from the two groups will advance to the semifinals slated for November 29.

Tomorrow’s feature game among the seniors comes from Group 1 with former champions Gaynstead High, who topped their zone, meetig Jose Marti High, who were runners-up in theirs. It will be a repeat clash of the 2021 finals where Gaynstead came out winners.

The Dalton Hinds-coached Gaynstead, who lost in the final last year, won all their preliminary-round matches impressively and will be hoping to remain unbeaten. They will be relying on goal attack Tishene Roach, goal shooter Danielle Joseph and goalkeeper Chrystal Nicholson to help them continue their winning ways. All three are members of the national under-21 development squad.

The Phillip Pinnock-coached Jose Marti, who only had one hiccup in the preliminary round, losing narrowly to Immaculate Conception, will be hoping to avenge their 2021 loss. After a fourth-place finish last year, they will be seeking to better that performance and are hoping for a positive start.

For a win they will be relying on two national under-21 development squad players in centre, Tamera Jarrett and goal defence, Deandre Edwards.

In other Group 1 matches, the unbeaten St Hugh’s will take on St Andrew High School and St Jago will battle with Tarrant.

In Group II, defending champions, St Catherine, led by outstanding goal shooter, Kellian Hunter and goal defence, Kaydeen Gordon, are expected to get the better of Bridgeport.

The other matches in the group will see Camperdown High facing Norman Manley and Immaculate up against Campion College.

In Group I junior action, defending champions St Hugh’s will take on Camperdown, Wolmer’s Girls go up against Immaculate and St Jago meet Clan Carthy.

Matches in Group II among the juniors are St Catherine vs the Queen’s School, Campion vs Jose Marti, and Jonathon Grant vs Norman Manley.

SECOND ROUND GROUPS

Juniors

Group I

St Jago, Wolmer’s, Camperdown, Immaculate, St Hugh’s, Clan Carthy

Group II

St Catherine, Jonathon Grant, Norman Manley, Campion, Jose Marti, Queen’s

Seniors

Group I

St Jago, Gaynstead, St Andrew’s, Jose Marti, St Hugh’s, Tarrant

Group II

St Catherine, Camperdown, Norman Manley, Campion, Immaculate, Bridgeport