St Hugh's seek big win in opener

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Defending champions St Hugh's High will oppose Edith Dalton James in tomorrow's feature game when the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Digicel Under-19 urban area schoolgirls netball competition starts this season.

The game is scheduled for Herrick Avenue, starting at 3:45 p.m.

In the curtain raiser, St Hugh's Under-16 team, which finished third in last year's all-island competition, will oppose Edith Dalton James, starting 2:30 p.m.

In the day's other games, Pembroke Hall will take on Spanish Town, Campion College entertain Papine and Innswood await Trench Town.

St Hugh's, one the most dominant schools in urban area netball over the last five years, are expected to get the better of their lesser-fancied opponents.

The Phillip St Marie-coached St Hugh's are also very experienced, with former national Under-16 players Antoinette Stone, Chiquanna Reid, Azeza McCarthy and Adean Thomas in their line-up.

"This is our first game and we want to see what we have, because our aim is to defend our title and to also finish the season unbeaten," said St Marie.

Edith Dalton's coach, Patricia Boulin, said: "I don't know much about the St Hugh's team, but I understand that they are one of the top teams in the competition," said Boulin. "However, we are going out there to give it our best and hopefully our best will be good enough to carry us through."