Dr Walton Small (right), president of the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA), and Angella Chaplain, chairperson for netball, ISSA, applaud members of the Holmwood Technical school team as they celebrate, following the trophy presentation, winning the senior all-island netball final against Vauxhall High at the Stadium courts yesterday. Holmwood won the Under-19 title with a 47-44 extra-time scoreline.

Rural area champion Holmwood Technical grabbed their fourth successive hold on the ISSA/Digicel All-Island Netball senior league title, following a hard-fought 47-44 extra-time win over urban area champions Vauxhall High, while St Andrew High got the better of Herbert Morrison High 24-16 in the junior equivalent at the National Stadium courts yesterday.

In two close and exciting contests, Holmwood, who had to fight tooth and nail after being four goals down with two minutes remaining in regulation time, became the first team since the all-conquering Dunoon Technical of the 1990s to claim a fourth consecutive hold on the national title.

While St Andrew, who under the guidance of 20-year veteran Jennifer Brown, earlier in the season captured the urban and all-island Under-13 titles, capped off the season with the Under-16 equivalent.

Amazing feeling

"It feels good, it feels great to be crowned champions for the fourth consecutive year," said a delightful Carolyn Graham-Powell, who before speaking to reporters, broke down in tears and had to be restrained. "It's a lot of hard work and dedication that we put in and to know that we were so close to losing and come back is an amazing feeling.

"I want to dedicate this victory to C. Lloyd Walker (former Dunoon Technical coach), who taught me so much and prepared me for occasions like these and the entire Holmwood Technical community, who gave us their full support," she added.

Against the odds at 38-34 down with two minutes to go and Vauxhall's vocal and vociferous supporters on a high, Holmwood, through standout goalshooter, Deneen Laylor, who netted 42 of 54 attempts, rallied in spectacular fashion to take a 39-38 lead with 30 seconds remaining and had it not been for a goal five seconds from the end from Vauxhall's top shooter, Trudy-Ann Green (42 of 56 attempts), the Manchester team would have won the game in normal time.

Had that happened, it would have been equally dramatic, intense and deserving for the girls from Manchester, as throughout the heated encounter, they were pushed to the limit by their east Kingston challengers, who after losing the first quarter 8-9, rallied to tie the second 20-20, then led the third and penultimate 30-29.

"We tried and tried and tried, but it was just not our day," said Vauxhall's assistant coach, Patricia Jackson. "They were simply better than us. But I am nonetheless proud of my girls, they did their best."

Worked hard for victory

Players, fans and relatives of St Andrew High's Under-16 netball team celebrate winning the junior all-island title, following their 24-16 win over Montego Bay's Herbert Morrison Technical, in the final at the Stadium courts yesterday. - photos by Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

In the junior final, which was played in the hot, 1 p.m. sun and in front of a handful of spectators, St Andrew took the first half 13-11 before rounding off the encounter.

St Andrew goalshooter, Shanice Lee, who got valuable support from energetic centre, Chelsey Montaque, said the girls from the City trained and worked hard for their victory.

"We have excellent players and our coach really pushed us to work hard," she said.

"This is a proud and happy moment for the school, knowing that it is our third title this season and we are very elated."