PHILIPSBURG—Methodist Agogic Centre-Rev. John A. Gumbs Campus (MAC-JAG) out-jumped the Hillside Christian Primary to win the Inter-elementary School Netball tournament at the L.B. Scott Sports Auditorium on Sunday.
A perfect combination of great teamwork and a fired-up atmosphere led MAC-JAG Campus to a nail-biting 11-9 victory. Both teams entered the final unbeaten and neither wanted to a loss recorded against its name. In fact, after full time the match was tied 9-9. However, five minutes of extra time ensured the win went to MAC-JAG Campus. The win was not easy for the champions nor the loss for the losers after both team displayed grit and determination in the contest. MAC-JAG Campus leaped ahead early in the contest with three unanswered goals. Hillside Christian then scored two goals in a row to end the quarter 2-3 behind. Hillside Christian never lead in the match until less than two minutes to go in the final quarter they took the lead at 8-7. The lead turned over three more time right to the buzzer with the champions scoring the ninth goal with seconds left on the clock. The noise was deafening as supporters from both teams screamed loudly, honk their vuvuzela and blew whistles. The atmosphere was a frenzy. Both teams had to settle down and refocus on the task at hand. The girls hustled and fought tooth and nail for every possession and put their bodies on the line for their team. In the extra time, MAC-JAG had the first opportunity and their goal shooters in Kiyona Ryner and goal attack Radhika Pinedo had four tries before the ball finally went inside the net to give their team the lead. With just seconds left, Ryner was fouled and scored an easy goal to register the final score line. In other matches, Sister Borgia Primary defeated MAC-Browlia F. Maillard Campus 10-4 for third place. Sister Magda Primary defeated Marie Genevieve De Weever 5-1 for fifth place. For seventh place, Ruby Labega Primary held off a rampant Sister Regina to win 10-9. Ruby Labega Primary was leading 7-2 at the half time but Regina out scored the opponent 6-1 to endured the score was 8-8 by the end of the third quarter. But, the match ended 10-9 in favour of Ruby Labega Primary. There was a record 11 schools in the tournament. The schools were placed into two groups. In Group A were MAC-Rev. John A. Gumbs Campus, Marie Genevieve De Weever Primary, Leonald Connor Primary, St. Dominic Primary and Ruby Labega Primary. The teams in Group B were Hillside Christian Primary, Sister Borgia Primary, St. Joseph Primary, MAC-Browlia F. Maillard Campus, Sister Regina Primary and Sister Magda Primary.
