Denbigh intercepts Holmwood’s bid for two titles

Denbigh High walked away with the junior ISSA Rural Schoolgirl Netball Competition title after upsetting defending champions Holmwood Technical 31-26 in overtime. Holmwood, however, held on to their senior crown after fending off a strong challenge from Denbigh to win 29-24.

The junior final, contested at the Leila Robinson Court, featured defending champions Holmwood and unbeaten Denbigh High. Both teams advanced to the final after contrasting semi-final results, with Denbigh edging Bishop Gibson High by a single goal while Holmwood eased past May Day High.

Denbigh, who last won the junior title in 2018 and are now guided by veteran coach Winston Nevers, were determined to end a seven-year wait for another crown.

The May Pen-based Denbigh team, led by strong play from centre, Alexia Grant, wing defence, Cheveena Lothian, and goal defence, Symonia Smith, stifled the Holmwood attack to take a 9-6 first-quarter lead. They maintained their advantage at halftime, leading 11-9.

Denbigh came out firing after the break, with goal shooter Chrisdale Wignall, and goal attack Arianne Agate finding their range as they outscored Holmwood 6-3 to open up a 17-12 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Known for their never-say-die attitude, Holmwood responded aggressively in the final quarter, forcing several turnovers and clawing their way back into the contest. They outscored Denbigh 9-4 to level the scores at 21-21 at full time, forcing overtime.

In the extra period, it was all Denbigh as they settled quickly and poured in 10 goals to Holmwood’s five for a five-goal winning margin, sparking wild celebrations among their supporters who flooded the court at the final whistle.

Wignall led the scoring for Denbigh with 26 goals from 37 attempts while Agate added five from nine. Holmwood goal attack, Reneica Jones, top-scored with 28 goals from 33 attempts.

With heavy showers curtailing other finals at the Leila Robinson Courts, the rural senior final was the only other final completed yesterday, with the match shifted to Wolmer’s Girls’ School.

There, defending champions Holmwood rebounded from their junior disappointment by getting past a gallant Denbigh High 29-24. Holmwood led from start to finish, posting quarterly scores of 9-5, 18-10, 25-18, and 29-24 as the Carline Graham Powell-coached team captured their 16th rural senior title.

Goal attack Reneica Jones led Holmwood with 15 goals from 26 attempts, while goal shooter Syranna Brown chipped in with 14 from 24. For Denbigh, goal shooter Leneice Williams top-scored with 22 goals from 30 attempts while goal attack Zariah McKenzie added three from six.

Both coaches reflected on their teams’ performances afterwards.

“Lack of experience hurt my junior team, especially my goal shooter who is just 13 and crumbled under the pressure. My seniors won, but it wasn’t the kind of performance I expected from them,” said Holmwood coach Graham Powell.

Nevers, meanwhile, had high praise for both of his teams.

“It was a brilliant display from the juniors, especially in the latter part of the game. Our seniors did their best against a quality Holmwood team, and I am extremely proud of them,” said the Denbigh coach.

Denbigh and Holmwood will now await the winners of today’s urban junior and senior finals ahead of tomorrow’s All-Island finals scheduled for GC Foster College. The urban finals were not played yesterday due to inclement weather and will now take place today at the St Andrew High School netball court.

Yesterday also saw third-place playoff matches in both the urban and rural junior competitions. St Hugh’s defeated Jonathan Grant 26-18 to finish third in the urban junior competition while in the rural junior competition, May Day High got the better of Bishop Gibson High, 33-26.

Yesterday’s Results

Junior final

Denbigh 31-26 Holmwod

Senior final

Holmwood 29-24 Denbigh

Today’s Games

Junior final

Norman Manley vs. Wolmers - 12:30pm

Senior final

Gaynstead vs. Jose Marti - 1:30pm