Favourites book rural schoolgirl semifinal spots

IT WAS one-way traffic for Glenmuir High, Holmwood Technical, and Denbigh High schools in the quarter-finals of the Rural ISSA Schoolgirl Netball competition at the GC Foster College netball courts yesterday, all three booking spots in both the junior and senior semifinals.

The semi-finals take place on Tuesday at the Manchester High School.

In junior action, defending champions Holmwood got by Dinthill Technical 28-14, Glenmuir stopped St Elizabeth Technical High School 33-15, Denbigh overpowered Hampton 50-13, and Manchester beat Charlemont 47-13.

Among the seniors, Holmwood led the way, blowing away Morant Bay High 72-9, while defending champions, Glenmuir, eased past Mile Gully, 54-17. Denbigh halted Manchester 49-12, and new kids on the block, May Day, were too good for Titchfield, coming away 44-21 winners.

Holmwood coach Carline Graham-Powell’s junior team will go up against Glenmuir in the semi-finals, and Denbigh in the seniors.

“I was very impressed with both teams today, especially my juniors where goal attack Reneica Jones was outstanding. This has been their best game so far this season,” said Graham-Powell.

“We are taking it one game at a time. We beat Glenmuir in the final last year and I know they will be coming all out for us, but as defending champions, we are hoping to win and go to the final and defend our title,” she said.

“Our seniors have been scoring some big wins all season but there has been a lack of competition here. But the girls have remained focused as we expect it to get more competitive in the semifinals,” said Graham-Powell.

Coach of Glenmuir, Ryan Reid, is also eyeing two titles and is ready to avenge their junior defeat to Holmwood last year.

“We lost to Holmwood last year in the final but the team has learned from that. I liked the movement in their play today. I’m looking forward to meeting Holmwood next Tuesday,” said Reid.

“Our seniors, despite still showing a little rust, played well today. We still have some little things to fix, but we are confident of getting by May Day and advancing to the final to defend our title,” said Reid.

After a lull, many-time champions Denbigh seem to be getting back on track. Their junior team had the most impressive win yesterday and coach Samantha Mundle was pleased.

“I liked how both teams looked on the day, especially our juniors. They were members of my under-14 team and they have gelled well and I expect another good performance from them on Tuesday against Manchester,” said Mundle, who also expects a good showing from the seniors against the high-riding Holmwood.