Glenmuir not daunted by schoolgirl netball loss

LAST YEAR Glenmuir High School had their best performances in schoolgirl netball, their junior team losing to Holmwood Technical High School in the final while their senior team stopped Manchester High for their first title.

Playing at home on Friday in Group F of the ISSA Rural Schoolgirl competition, Glenmuir’s juniors were beaten 28-18 by many-time champions Denbigh High. Glenmuir, the senior rural defending champions, turned things around to beat Denbigh 27-22.

Despite the junior team’s loss Glenmuir coach, Rayon Reid, is still optimistic that his team will still go all the way this season.

“The team had a lot of errors as turnovers killed us. The team also had several players who are injured but I am not blaming this for the loss,” he said.

“Denbigh also had a very outstanding goal shooter who made the difference but with a few weeks to go, we will fix our problems and I am very confident that Glenmuir will be back stronger.”

According to Reid, the seniors weren’t perfect either.

“It was an ugly win for the senior team. They started off well but after leading by 12 goals going into the final quarter, nerves and the historical rivalry between both teams aided a good comeback by Denbigh, but we were able to hold on for the win,” said Reid.

“Our objective is to win the double despite the likes of Holmwood and Manchester High having great teams as usual,” he said.

After their junior success over Glenmuir, Denbigh coach Winston Nevers had high praises for his young team.

“It was an outstanding performance from the team, especially from goal shooter, Lenise Williams, and centre, Christine Thompson, who made the big difference in the team’s impressive win,” said Nevers.

According to Nevers, Williams is one for the future.

“Williams is an outstanding talent and she has been drafted into the national under-21 development programme, despite just being 16 years old, where the programme is for players between 17 and 21 years of age,” he said.

Several other junior matches were also played on Friday with Charlemont High getting a big 28-8 win over Enid Bennett High in Zone G; in Zone E, Bishop Gibson stopped Belair 21-17; Kemps Hill beat Foga Road 21-4 in Zone F; while in Zone H, St Mary Technical edged Abbuthnott Gallimore 9-7 and Iona High overcame Tacky High 11-8.