Seeking a semi-final spot, urban area teams Norman Manley High and Gaynstead High will lock horns in a crucial Institute of Sports (INSPORTS) Challenge Cup netball encounter at Leila Robinson Courts today.

All matches set to begin 3:00 pm

The unbeaten Norman Manley team only need a win to secure their spot, while Gaynstead need a win and a favourable goal-difference to advance.

Norman Manley defeated Camperdown High 33-18 and St Catherine 29-20, respectively, gained a walkover against The Queen’s School and beat St Hugh’s High 37-17 to lead urban high school category with 12 points.

Gaynstead (nine points) suffered their only loss at the hands of St Catherine High, a 29-31 defeat.

Wayne Wallace, coach of Norman Manely, said that although his team is looking good, he expects a tough match from Gaynstead.

“The players have been involved in summer competitions, along with their usual training for the upcoming ISSA Urban High School netball competitions schedule to start next month. By playing in this competition the players should also be match fit and ready for the season and I expect a very competitive match against Gaynstead,” Wallace told the Jamaica Observer.

Dalton Hinds, coach of Gaynstead, said that his players would have to play extremely well and be disciplined if they are to defeat Norman Manley.

“Gaynstead’s chances are very good, and although the team have lost one game, they need to win to have a chance of qualifying for the semi-finals should they beat their opponents. There could also be a three-way tie along with St Catherine should they defeat their opponents. It will then have to be decided on goal difference to see which two would advance to the semi-finals,” Hinds said.

St Catherine also have a very good chance of qualifying for the semi-finals as they are on nine points from four matches. St Catherine will be hoping to get the better of St Hugh’s and hope that Gaynstead beat Norman Manley if they are to have any chance of advancing. In other games, Camperdown will take on The Queen’s.

In the rural area, May Day High and Manchester High are through to the semi-finals and are awaiting the two teams to advance from the urban area.