ANCHOVY High School secured their second consecutive hold on the ISSA Digicel Leila Robinson Western Region Under-13 netball title with an emphatic clean sweep of the six-team event yesterday at the Montego Bay Cricket Club Court.

The St James team, led by an outstanding performance from impressive goal defence Antonio Campbell, beat Green Island High 3-1; Manning’s School 8-0; Belmont Academy 8-0; Montego Bay High 4-3 and Irwin High 8-3 to top the round-robin Rally competition.

“This is a completely new team and although some of the players had experience from primary school they’ve improved through training,” said coach Suzette Virgo.

“We plan to do more work as we prepare for the all-island final, and we will retain three players for next year.”

Anchovy, along with second-placed Montego Bay (whose only loss was to the champions) will represent the Western Region against two teams from the Central and four teams from the Eastern regions at Clarendon Park next Tuesday.

Newcomers Belmont Academy were third after beating Irwin 4-2; Green Island 3-1, and drawing 3-3 with Manning’s. Green Island, Irwin and Manning’s were fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively.

“The standard of play has been falling over recent years, especially in goal-scoring,” bemoaned event co-ordinator Audrey Thompson.

“Only Anchovy, Montego Bay and Belmont displayed proper execution of requisite skills; more than the other teams today.”

However, players complained about the dilapidated state of the goal-hoops at the facility.

“Corporate sponsorship at the regional level is needed to give support to the players as this is the nursery for development of netball in the island,” Thompson added.