Jose Marti advance to ISSA netball semis after 29-21 win over St Jago

Jose Marti High defeated St Jago High 29-21 at the Leila Robinson netball court yesterday to advance to the semifinals of the ISSA urban schoolgirls’ senior netball competition.

Both teams went into the game locked on six points in Group One and needed a win to join Gaynstead High from the group in next Thursday’s semifinals. In the end it was the Philip Pinnock-coached Jose Marti team that came out on top.

At the start both teams looked a bit tentative but Jose Marti settled quickly and took a 10-6 lead after the first quarter and then led 18-9 at half-time.

For the next two quarters, St Jago had several chances to cut into their opponents’ lead but made several errors especially inside the goal circle and Jose Marti went on to complete a comfortable win.

With his junior team also advancing to the semifinals, it was an historic achievement for coach Pinnock. “It is a wonderful feeling. Over the past three years, we have gotten better and at the start of the season our objective was for the senior team to reach the semifinals and at least play for a medal and they did so,” he said. “The team has played well despite several injuries coming into the game and they deserved to be there and we are looking forward to the semifinals,” Pinnock added. Jose Marti, who will meet St Catherine High in the senior semifinals, are the only school to have both junior and senior teams in the semis.

After their best season for more than three decades, St Jago’s coach Ardene Jones said the continuous turnovers hurt her team yesterday.

“Too many turnovers hurt the team as the girls were not playing their own game. I also think our defenders were rattled by several calls against them which affected the overall play. However, I am happy for them and this is a good platform going forward,” Jones said.

Gaynstead, despite resting their entire starting team, had too much class for the winless St Andrew High and whipped them 51-9 to top their group on maximum 10 points. They will play Norman Manley High in the semifinals.

Defending champions St Catherine High warmed up for their semifinal with a 42-29 win over Norman Manley High.

Other senior results: Immaculate 35 Bridgeport 30; St Hugh’s 32 Tarrant 15; Campion 17 Camperdown 16.

Group Two winners Wolmer’s Girls had the biggest win on the day among the juniors after defeating Camperdown High 36-14. St Hugh sealed their second-place finish in the group with eight points and a semifinal berth after stopping Clan Carthy High 20-13.

Other junior results: St Jago 31 Immaculate 13; St Catherine 17 Norman Manley 15; Jonathan Grant 37 Campion 17.