Holmwood renews bid to defend junior, senior titles

DEFENDING JUNIOR and senior champions Holmwood Technical High School will be hoping to take another step towards retaining both titles as the quarterfinals of the ISSA Rural Schoolgirl Netball Competition gets under way this morning at GC Foster College.

The juniors will open the day.

The Carline Graham–Powell coached Holmwood face Dinthill Technical at 8:30 a.m. Despite one blemish this season — a preliminary-round loss to May Day High — they look set to win and book their spot in Friday’s semi-finals.

Preseason favourites Denbigh High, the only unbeaten junior team this season, have been impressive throughout. After a surprising elimination at this stage last year when Manchester High beat them, they should prove too strong for Mount Alvernia at 12:30 p.m.

May Day, who defeated defending champions Holmwood in the preliminary round but later suffered a shock one-goal loss to Bishop Gibson High, will battle Titchfield at 2:30 p.m. and should get the better of them.

Bishop Gibson and Green Pond meet at 10:30 a.m. in the other junior fixture.

In senior action, it should be smooth sailing for defending All-Island champions Holmwood when they face Old Harbour at 3:30 p.m. They have blown away all opponents so far, scoring over the century mark on one occasion.

Last year’s beaten finalists, Denbigh High, are also in immaculate form, recording big wins in all matches. The Winton Nevers–coached Denbigh look a cinch for victory when they oppose Hampton High at 1:30 p.m.

In the day’s other senior games, Manchester meet Dinthill Technical at 9:30 a.m., while Green Pond take on Mile Gully at 11:30 a.m.