ALL-ISLAND defending boys’ and girls’ champions St Andrew Prep and Portmore Missionary Prep began the defence of their respective titles on a winning note as the 2019 Optical Solutions International Limited Primary and Preparatory Schools Table Tennis Team Champions got under way inside National Arena yesterday.

St Andrew Prep fought off a strong challenge from Hillel Academy Prep B to come out with a narrow 3-2 win in the boys’ team event, while Portmore Missionary defeated Hillel Academy Prep 3-1.

Dale Parham, coach of St Andrew Prep, said his team is not as strong as last year having retained only two players, but they believe that they still have a good chance of winning the Prep Schools’ section.

“My main challenge should come from Hillel Academy B as they have retained all their players from the past three years, so they will be very hard to beat. We have defeated them for the past two years in the boys’ finals and could again face them in the final,” Parham said.

Meanwhile, Maxeline Knuckles, coach of Portmore Missionary, said both boys’ and girls’ teams are looking very good as they started off with good victories in the opening team competition.

“I am confident Portmore Missionary can retain their All-Island girls’ title as was have two good players in the team — Nevaeh Scott, who is National player, and seven-year-old Kira Scott, who is playing well,” Knuckles said.

According to Knuckles, some of the players should improve in their remaining matches as some are playing competitive tennis for the first time and are a little nervous.

Defending Urban Primary Schools team champions St Mary’s Primary swamped August Town 5-0.

The participating teams in the Prep Schools competition for boys and girls are divided into three zones.

BOYS: Zone One — St Andrew Prep, Harrison Prep, Hillel Academy Prep B, Bright Beginnings Prep B.

Zone Two — Hillel Academy Prep A, Glenmuir Prep A, Portmore Missionary Prep, Avondale Prep.

Zone Three — Quest Prep, Holy Childhood Prep, The Queen’s School Prep, Bright Beginnings Prep A, Glenmuir B.

GIRLS: Zone One — St Andrew Prep, Bright Beginnings B, Harrison Prep.

Zone Two — Portmore Missionary Prep, Hillel Academy Prep, Glenmuir Prep, Avondale Prep.

Zone Three — Bright Beginnings A, The Queen’s School Prep, Holy Childhood Prep, Quest Prep.