St Catherine make historic move into semis

Raymond Graham, Gleaner Writer

ST CATHERINE High School's junior netballers created history at the Leila Robinson Courts yesterday when they defeated former champions, St Hugh's High, 21-20 in the final set of matches in Group Two of the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association competition to end with a perfect eight points and, in the process, book a place in the semi-final of the competition for the first time.

St Catherine, which came into the game unbeaten, along with St Hugh's, which also qualified for tomorrow's semi-finals after finishing second with six points, had to work hard for their close win.

Following a 6-3 first-quarter lead by St Hugh's, the remainder of the game was a thrilling affair as despite several unforced turnovers, the St Catherine team fought back gallantly as goal shooter Jamila Tulloch and goal attack Shelike Hibbert kept them in the game with effective shooting.

Good interceptions

After the third quarter, with the score tied at 15-15, it was anybody's game as St Hugh's, led by some good defending by goal defence Kimoya Draggon and goalkeeper Aliyah Francis, made some good interceptions to thwart their opponents' attacks.

However, the victors prevailed as St Hugh's goal attack Crossan Williams was called for an offence in the goal circle when they had a chance to tie the score at 21-21, with less than 10 seconds to go.

The St Catherine High supporters went wild when the umpire blew the final whistle, signalling their upset win.

St Catherine's coach, Phyllis Thompson, was very elated with her team's history-making performance.

"It was a very competitive game and I am happy the girls were able to pull off the win as they really worked hard this season," she said. "I am looking forward to the semi-final and if they play the way they did today, I am confident they will be in the final."