Action heats up in urban schoolgirls netball

THE SECOND round of the ISSA urban schoolgirls netball competition will continue today at the Leila Robinson Courts, with junior action set to begin at 1 p.m.

The spotlight will be on Group One as the the only double winners in last Thursday’s opening round, St Jago High and St Hugh’ s High, will meet in junior and senior action.

The junior teams clash at 2 p.m., and the defending champions St Hugh’s, following their 28-13 win over Camperdown High, should start favourites over their rivals. St Jago’s win was much closer. They beat Clan Carthy High 17-13.

Both teams were impressive in their senior wins. St Hugh s got by St Andrew High 32-12 and St Jago humbled Tarrant High 42-19.

Coach Nardia Hanson of St Hugh’s is very cautious ahead of today’s encounter.

“I know it is going to be a very competitive game as St Jago looked impressive in their first game, so I am expecting a close game here,” said Hanson.

This has been the best netball season in many years for St Jago. They have only lost one match so far this season when they were beaten by defending champions St Catherine High in the preliminary round.

The Ardene Jones-coached team will be hoping for a win here to stay perfect in the second round.

After blowing away a good Jose Marti team in their opening match, former champions Gaynstead High should make it two from two in Group One against Tarrant.

In the other Group One game, Jose Marti will be hoping to bounce back after their loss to Gaynstead when they meet St Andrew High at 3 p.m.

Defending champions St Catherine High are expected to get a stern test from Immaculate Conception in their Group Two encounter.

Immaculate impressed last Thursday with a big 42-14 win over Campion College. They are yet to lose this season and could surprise the defending champions.

In two other matches in the group, Bridgeport High will face Camperdown, and Campion will go up against Norman Manley High.

Today’s junior games

Group One

1 p.m.: Wolmer’s Girls vs Clan Carthy

1 p.m.: Camperdown vs Immaculate

2 p.m.: St Hugh’s vs St Jago

Group Two

1 p.m.: Campion vs Norman Manley

1 p.m.: Jose Marti vs St Catherine

2 p.m.: Queen’s vs Jonathan Grant