MAY PEN, Clarendon — As it turned out, STETHS’ surprise defeat to May Day High in front of their home support on Tuesday wasn’t just a game that they could have afforded to lose. It was more a reflection of their form this season.

The 24-15 loss in Santa Cruz had left many questioning their ability to successfully defend their ISSA/Digicel Rural Area Junior League netball title; the defeat consigning them to second place in Group Two and a potential banana skin quarter-final match-up against Knox College — yet another of the rising stars of this year’s competition.

And though they looked slightly the better team up the half-way stage, Knox — third place finishers from the last campaign — just did not offer them any hope for atonement.

As their coach, Janice Burke, put it, “Defensively we weren’t strong,” and by the time Knox overturned the lead in the third quarter, STETHS just could not keep up with Knox’s giant shooter Tashawna Gibbs.

They eventually lost the contest 31-23, sparking wild celebration from the Knox camp.