Andrew's meet Papine High for U19 schoolgirl hockey title

BY PAUL BURROWES Observer writer

Thursday, February 16, 2012

DEFENDING champions St Andrew High School for girls tackle arch-rivals Papine High this afternoon at 4:00 in the Under-19 Hockey League final at the Mona Facility.

The match follows Immaculate Conception v Mona High at 1:00 pm in the fifth-place play-off and Alpha Academy v Excelsior High at 2:30 pm in the battle for third place.

St Andrew High are the overwhelming favourites to take yet another league Under-19 title as they are not only the most attacking outfit with 29 goals (almost double the next best team), but they have yet to concede a goal, one of their major preoccupation in the last few years.

Kamille Griffiths (10 goals), Simone Gardner (five goals), Kimberly Shaw (four goals) and Micaela Suckial (three goals) have led the bulk of the St Andrew attack, ensuring that the Cecelio Avenue-based girls have scored at least four goals per match.

The defending champions also have the psychological advantage of beating Papine High 1-0 last Monday in a preliminary game.

For Papine High, their goal ace Samantha Jones (seven goals) will be central, with support from Christina Mothersill (two goals), Ombretta Gordon, and Annisa Murray.

While defending champions will go about their game methodically, Papine High will counter strategically and hope to end the first half on even keel or ahead and take it from there.

In the battle for third place, the league's leading goal-getter Shannar White (11 goals) will have the opportunity to prove why she is best attacking player against Excelsior High, whose Cyrinn Watt, Shari-ann Osbrune, Britney Black and Abigail Laird have shown their worth.

White, however, will have support from Alpha teammates Jhanell Johnson, Jeneil Guy, and Genieve Smith.