MANDEVILLE, Manchester — The Queen’s School needed sudden death to win their first ever ISSA/Digicel all-island schoolgirl netball double after dethroning Holmwood Technical in a thrilling Senior League contest at Manchester High yesterday.

The urban area champions had earlier made light work of Denbigh High in the Junior League play-off – winning 29-17 — and appeared to be coasting to another victory in the seniors after establishing a five-point lead deep in the fourth and final quarter.

But, exemplifying true meaning of resilience, Holmwood Technical clawed their way back into the contest to tie the scores 34-all at the end of regulation thereby forcing 10 minutes of extra-time.

The Queen’s, powered by the awesome attacking duo of Shanice Beckford and Khadijah Williams, again seized the advantage at the end of the first period of extra-time, 40-37, only to see the rural area champions eat away at their lead for the fifth time in the match – stopping the clock with the scores level at 43-43.

Needing a two-point lead to claim their eighth hold on the national trophy, the inspirational Nicole Dixon shot Holmwood into the lead – this time leaving The Queen’s to chase the game.

But, like Holmwood, Queen’s were at their peak and – after trading points with their opponents for what seemed like the entire evening – dug deep to not only find the equaliser but also the goal that would clinch their first senior title at this level.

The game ended 47-45.

Without abusing this journalistic cliché, coach Marvette Anderson was lost for words at game’s end — struggling to sum up her joy at leading The Queen’s to the Holy Grail of schoolgirl netball.

Once contained, her first word to the Jamaica Observer was: “Finally!” before explaining that “teamwork” was the key to this success.

“It has really been a challenging season for us,” she said. “There were the ups and downs, but we stuck through it all the way. And it was really about teamwork – realising that we needed each other.”

“It really feels good to be double champions,” Anderson added.

Meanwhile, losing coach Carline Graham-Powell was gracious in defeat, noting that, “This was really a victory for Queen’s. Hat’s off to them.”