Schoolgirls in semi-final showdown

Raymond Graham, Gleaner Writer

The tempo will increase in the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Digicel Urban area netball competition today at the Leila Robinson Courts, as four junior and senior teams will be seeking spots in the finals, which are scheduled for next week Wednesday at the same venue.

Competition among the seniors should be very exciting with defending champions St. Hugh's going up against St. Andrew High in one semi-final, and Queen's High facing the improved Bridgeport High in the other match-up.

However, the Junior teams will take the court first at 1 p.m, with Group One winners Queen's High taking on Group Two runners-up St. Hugh's, while Group Two winners St. Catherine High will oppose Group One runners-up Meadowbrook in the other semi-final.

Following impressive plays all season where they have not been tested, defending champions The Queen's juniors, who are also the all-island champions, are expected to get the better of former champions St. Hugh's.

The Marvette Anderson-coached team recorded easy wins in all their matches and with both goal shooter Sade French and goal attack Khadijah Williams in terrific form, St. Hugh's, who were beaten by St. Catherine High on Monday, will have to step up big time if they are to deny the champions.

The second semi-final pits two teams at this stage of the competition for the first time, Meadowbrook and St. Catherine. Both teams had narrow wins in their final preliminary games on Monday; Meadowbrook beating St. Andrew 18-15 and St. Catherine surprising St. Hugh's High 21-20 in a thriller to top the group.