BY GERALD REID

Observer writer

DEFENDING champions Denbigh High will take on Glenmuir High as the 2014 Digicel/ISSA Rural High School Junior and Senior League netball competitions continue today at Denbigh school is courts, starting at 2:30 pm.

Denbigh’s coach Janice Hancel-Walker said the players are in need of a lot of match practice since many of the schools in Zone E only have one team — either a junior or a senior.

“At this point we have to look to other schools or clubs, so that the players can be match ready when the second round begins in a round-robin format,” Hancel-Walker said.

She said she will not underrate or take any team lightly, as they too are seeking to win for a chance of qualifying to the second round.

She has retained only four players from last year’s Junior League winning side, but said her chances are very good to capture the title this year.

Hancel-Walker noted that she has a new-look Senior League team with players graduating from the junior level. “We should come out winning both matches against Glenmuir,” she said.

Denbigh, who were beaten in the National Finals of the Junior League by The Queen’s School, have played two matches and won both, defeating Vere Technical High 26-7 and Foga Road High 49-11.

Meanwhile, the Seniors have played one game and came out victorious by defeating Kemps Hill High 36-9.

In other matches scheduled this afternoon, Anchovy High take on Mount Alvernia High; Hopewell High meet Merlene Ottey High; Spot Valley High face Herbert Morrison High; Belmont High oppose Little London High; Grange Hill High tackle Green Island High; and Petersfield High challenge Godfrey Stewart High.

Also today, Lacovia High battle Newell High; Bishop Gibson High face Belair High; Kemps Hill High challenge Bustamante High; Thompson Town High go up against Clarendon College; Oracabessa High meet Annotto Bay High; Ferncourt High oppose St Hilda’s High; and Aabuthnott Gallimore tackle York Castle High.

The juniors’ games begin at 2:30 pm and the seniors start at 3:30 pm.