Big first for Moneague’s netballers

Moneague College created history in inter-collegiate netball at G.C. Foster College last Saturday when they advanced to their first senior final after a tense and pulsating 35-31 win over defending champions Mico ‘A’ in their semi-finals.

The fair-sized crowd was treated to some exciting netball, as it was a close battle from start to finish. With both teams having national senior representatives, Mico with Theresa Beckford and Moneague’s Roxanna McLean, a close battle was expected and the teams did not disappoint.

Mico led 10-7 after the first quarter, but Moneague rallied in the second quarter and the teams took the half-time break at 17-17.

The next two quarters were close. At no stage did more than three goals separate the teams. After taking a 19-18 lead early at the start of the third quarter, Moneague went on to lead 28-25 going into the fourth quarter.

Mico then took a 29-28 lead with less than seven minutes to go, before Moneague drew level at 29-29. With both teams making unforced errors, it was Moneague’s defensive unit of wing defence Fentonian Henry, goal defence McLean and goal keeper Ajanah Coleman who kept their team ahead with several important interceptions.

With goal shooter Shania Martin in top form, Moneague took the lead at 30-29 with under three minutes to go, and increased their advantage to 33-30 with three unanswered goals. Martin, a former Glenmuir High player, top-scored for Moneague with 30 goals from 34 attempts, with goal attack Ashley Jay Levy assisting with five from 12. Another former Glenmuir player, goal shooter Nickeisha Powell, led the way for Mico with 20 from 25, while goal attack Kadean Wright scored 11 from 15.

Winning coach Nicole Aiken-Pinnock jumped for joy at the final whistle. “Oh my God, a beautiful game. We have to give credit to Mico as they really pushed us over the line. It is a first for Moneague and it is history for us, and I am proud of my girls. This is a great boost for the programme and it shows we are doing great things at Moneague, and we will just have to build on this for the future,” said Aiken-Pinnock, who heaped praise on her defensive unit, especially skipper Coleman.

Losing coach Minnette Reynolds said the many unforced errors were the main reasons for her team’s defeat.

“It was a good game, but too many turnovers from unforced errors cost my team today, and my attacking players were very stagnant,” said Reynolds.

Moneague will face G.C. Foster A in the senior finals next Thursday. G.C. Foster are in two finals as their B team defeated Caribbean Maritime University 27-24 to advance to the intermediate final.