By Charmaine Austin, Staff ReporterGIVE US all you've got. We can take it. But be prepared for what we have in store."
That is Holy Childhood's challenge to defending senior champions Dunoon who they meet this afternoon in the final of the UGI-sponsored Corporate Area schoolgirls netball final at the Leila Robinson Courts.
Holy Childhood, junior champions last year, qualified for their first senior final after defeating Wolmer's 29-20 on Monday.
Armed with a number of players from last year's championship team, they see themselves as formidable opponents for the team from the East.
Said coach Wayne Stewart: "This is going to be the best final ever seen for a long time. It's going to be a good match because there are two very good teams involved and both are fit. We train hard and we know they train hard as well but they will have to come good.
"We know we can beat them. We're not going to throw down arms. Dunoon will have to put out more than their best to beat us."
At press time last evening, the Holy Childhood team was busy working out different strategies for the 2:30 p.m. match.
MINOR SETBACKS
Dunoon too, despite minor setbacks, made final preparations for the encounter under the watchful eyes of coach C. Lloyd Walker.
Leading centre court player Kimeshar Burke is injured and three other players had contracted the virus that causes the 'flu' but Walker says that Dunoon will be their usual attacking selves going into the game.
"We are a bit sensitive going into the game because many people did not expect us to reach the final this year. Having crept into the final and now wearing the tag of dark horses we are going to make the best of it.
"Our preparations are not the best right now because of a few minor setbacks but we are working on it and hope that everyone comes around in time," he said.
Dunoon stopped favourites St Hugh's 26-15 on Monday to book their place in the final.
Looking at their opponents, Walker said, "Holy Childhood it seems is a strong, close-knit team. We're going in to attack and if they are strong enough, may succeed in countering. But if they are not able to stop us from early, they will end up running the entire 40 minutes and being champions we know that the game isn't over until the final whistle."
The junior final meanwhile also promises to be exciting with Ascot and Wolmer's vying for the title.
Ascot, after many years of trying, are in the final at last.
RARING TO GO
A relief for coach Everton Samuels, but he will be holding his breath and celebratory plans until the final whistle.
As for Wolmer's, they are raring to go and determined not to let the trophy reach St Catherine.
Coach Robbie Whyte says the encounter will be "competitive".
"Ascot play very well but although we beat them in a previous match, we are not going to be over confident. We are better prepared now than we were in that game and I'm sure they have improved as well so it should be competitive," he said.
The finals will be preceded by the play-offs for third and fourth place in both the senior and junior divisions.
Action starts at 1:30 p.m. with the Queen's School against Ardenne High (junior) and Wolmer's against St Hugh's (senior).
