Denbigh, Holmwood dominate junior and senior semi-finals

Holmwood Technical and Denbigh High stamped their authority on Friday’s ISSA Rural Schoolgirl Netball semi-finals at the GC Foster College Indoor Courts, as both schools booked places in the under-16 and under-19 finals set for this Tuesday at the Leila Robinson Netball Courts.

Holmwood’s under-16 team got the ball rolling with a solid 41-32 victory over May Day High, before their seniors dismantled Manchester High 55-32. Denbigh followed up with a nail-biting 27-26 under-16 win over Bishop Gibson High, before their under-19s secured a 42-34 success against Mile Gully.

Coached by Carline Graham-Powell, the Holmwood teams are into the finals for the second consecutive year and will renew their rivalry with Denbigh, particularly in the senior division where it will be a rematch of last year’s championship clash.

In the opening game of the day, Holmwood’s under 16s were eager to avenge their earlier four-goal loss to May Day in the preliminary round. A fired-up May Day were enjoying their best-ever season and went toe-to-toe with Holmwood in the first quarter, which ended 8-8. By half-time, Holmwood had edged ahead 22-18.

True to their reputation for fitness, Holmwood took control in the second half, pushing on to 30-25 after three quarters before closing out the match 41-33. Goal attack Relieca Jones led Holmwood’s scoring with an impressive 34 goals from 38 attempts, while goal shooter Savannah Henry added seven from 12. For May Day, goal shooter Jada Stone netted 23 from 24, supported by goal attack Markella Bennett with 10 from 15.

After exiting at the quarter-final stage last year, Denbigh’s under-16s were determined to maintain their unbeaten run this season against a spirited Bishop Gibson outfit, who had earlier this season beaten May Day. Bishop Gibson made the brighter start, leading 6-4 after the first quarter and extended that advantage to 17-10 at halftime.

However, following a strong team talk from head coach Winston Nevers, Denbigh returned with renewed purpose in the third quarter, outscoring their opponents 10-2 to grab a slim 20-19 lead heading into the final quarter.

Dramatic one-goal victory

With everything on the line, both teams traded goals, scoring seven each, but Denbigh held their nerve to edge a dramatic one-goal victory, 27-26. Goal shooter Chrisada Wignall led Denbigh with 19 from 37, supported by goal attack Arianna Agate with eight from 19. Bishop Gibson’s top scorer was goal shooter Kesenia Smith with 22 from 27.

The under-19 clash between Holmwood and parish rivals Manchester High was a one-sided affair, as the defending champions showed no mercy. Holmwood dominated from start to finish, posting quarterly scores of 13-5, 25-17, 38-25 and 55-32 to secure a comprehensive 23-goal win. Relieca Jones led the way with 34 from 38, while Savannah Henry chipped in with seven from 22. Manchester’s best effort came from goal attack Britanique Daley, who scored 28 from 32.

In the final game of the day, unbeaten Denbigh faced an improved Mile Gully team in the under-19 semi-finals, with their sights firmly set on another showdown with Holmwood. Denbigh led 9-7 after the first quarter and held a narrow 21-19 advantage at half-time.

Mile Gully emerged strongly in the third quarter, outscoring Denbigh 10-5 to take a 29-26 lead into the final period. But Denbigh responded emphatically, producing a rampant final-quarter display, led by goal shooter Leneice Williams, who finished with 31 from 44. Denbigh poured in 16 goals to Mile Gully’s four to seal a convincing 42-32 victory. Goal attack Zarah McKenzie added strong support with 11 from 13. For Mile Gully, goal attack Deantonette Sterling top scored with 20 from 24, with goal shooter Annette Bellinfonte contributing 14 from 17.

All eyes will now turn to Tuesday’s finals, where Holmwood and Denbigh will clash once more with both junior and senior titles on the line.

– Raymond Graham

Friday’s semi-final results

Seniors

Holmwood 55-32 Manchester

Denbigh 42-32 Mile Gully

Juniors

Holmwood 41-32 May Day

Denbigh 27-26 Bishop Gibson