Gaynstead, St Catherine a cut above the rest in ISSA urban netball

WITH TWO sets of matches to go in the second round of the ISSA urban schoolgirls’ netball competition, the top senior teams have separated themselves from the pack, with 2021 champions Gaynstead High and defending champions St Catherine High both looking a cut above the others.

Both are leading in their respective groups and, with next Wednesday’s and Friday’s matches to go , they both look set to remain on top and book their semi-final spots. The semi-finals are set for December 1 and, if they win their respective groups, they will avoid each other before the grand final set for Thursday, December 7.

The Dalton Hinds-coached Gaynstead have looked good in both attack and defence. Upfront, they are led by national Under-21 squad development player, goal attack Tishene Roach, goal shooter Danielle Joseph, and wing attack Kimeisha Bernard. In defence, they are led by goal defence Faith Gordon and goalkeeper Crystal Nicholson.

On top in Group One with six points from three wins in a row, Gaynstead have scored 152 goals and conceded only 55 for the best record among all teams.

Also with three wins and six points are the Phyllis Thompson-conditioned St Catherine, who head Group Two. They have scored 100 goals and conceded a mere 25. This includes their first game of the round when Bridgeport forfeited their match after the defending champions were leading 6-0 early in the first quarter.

St Catherine have two very tall players in both attack and defence and they have used their superior height and reach to overcome opponents. Goal attack Kellion Hunter has been unstoppable inside the goal circle, while it has been difficult for opposing teams to get by goalkeeper Kaydeen Gordon who has gotten good help from goal defence Taneisha Bell and wing defence Candeece Garrick.

Both teams look set to close out the second round unbeaten as Gaynstead should get the better of St Jago High, another unbeaten team, on Wednesday, getting past St Andrew High on Friday. St Andrew High are yet to record a win in the second round.

St Catherine will oppose the winless Campion College on Wednesday before ending their fixtures on Friday against unbeaten Norman Manley High, who they should get the better of.

It has been more competitive among the juniors where Jose Marti High, Wolmer’s Girls and the Queen’s School are all undefeated .

Defending champions St Hugh’s lost to Wolmer’s in their match on Wednesday but they will definitely bounce back and advance to the semi-finals.

St Hugh’s are second in Group One with four points, and should pick up wins against Immaculate Conception High and Clan Carthy High in their final two matches of the round.

Group leaders Wolmer’s (six points) will face St Jago and Camperdown High and should gain wins in both matches and top the group.

Jose Marti and Queen’s, the co-leaders in Group Two with six points, are favourites to win their matches on Wednesday against Jonathan Grant High and Norman Manley, respectively, to set up a big clash in their final match on Friday to decide the group winners.