Gaynstead High and St Catherine will battle for supremacy in the final of the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) Urban Area Under-19 Schoolgirl Netball Competition after scoring narrow victories in their semi-final matches at the Leila Robinson Courts on Friday.

Gaynstead, who are the defending champions, defeated a spirited Jose Marti 34-31 in their semi-final match, while St Catherine edged a determined St Hugh’s team 36-35 in their semi-final game.

Goal-shooter Akua Latty netted an impressive 33 goals from 37 attempts to lead Gaynstead to victory. The other goal was scored by Tishena Roach, who had only four attempts. For Jose Marti, goal shooter Tamera Jarrett scored 21 goals from 27 attempts, and goal attacker Deandra Edwards netted 10 from 14.

Although it was a close encounter, Gaynstead led from start to finish. They led 8-6 for the first quarter, 14-11 at the break, 24-20 at the end of the third quarter, and then held on in the end by three points.

Captain and goal defence Faith Gordon praised her teammates for a job well done.

“We went out on the court and executed our plan well. The team’s performance was very good, and I am happy with the win; we did well. It was a very challenging game from start to finish as the Jose Marti team fought. Our attention now turns to the final against St Catherine, and that will be a good match as well, but I am backing my team for the win,” Gordon told the Jamaica Observer.

Meanwhile, goal shooter Kellian Hunter scored a perfect 27 goals from 27 attempts to lead St Catherine to victory. Goal attack Kayla Wright got nine goals from 14 attempts. Goal shooter Shade Williams tried very hard for St Hugh’s, as she netted 30 goals from 34 attempts and got support from goal attack Tiarra Spence, who netted five goals from six attempts.

Head Coach Phyllis Thompson, although not pleased with the performance, was nevertheless happy for the win.

“I am happy about the victory. We didn’t play as well as I would have liked, but I have to thank God that we finished first and were not injured. I have seen the girls play better games, but we have to still celebrate the victory, and next week in the finals, we are coming to fight for the title,” Thompson said.

The final will be played next Thursday at the National Indoor Sport Centre, as will the final for the rural area competition.

In the Under-16 semi-finals at the Leila Robinson Courts, St Hugh’s defeated STATHS 20-18 to reach the final against Immaculate Conception High, who edged Norman Manley 21-20. Their final will also be played on Thursday.