Eighth in the table and with just one win to their name since earning promotion, Jets were at risk of becoming stranded in the relegation play-off spots as the halfway mark of the 2015/16 campaign approaches. But they avoided that scenario with a ‘commanding’ display against a side who had won six from six, and can now enjoy a weekend off with sights firmly set ahead of them, rather than over their shoulders.
Jets coach Linda Andrews: ‘… in the final quarter we showed no mercy. It was a Jets day, and it’s now a happy camp.’
After a first period which coach Linda Andrews’ described as ‘like a game of chess’, Jets found their feet in some style in the second quarter, storming six ahead as they used prior knowledge to quell Ryland’s threat.
With January’s Premier League 3 victory in mind, Jets drew further confidence as player of the match Lynsey Pitman and Sophie Holmes provided a ‘masterclass’ in the shooting circle – converting 19 out of 22 second-quarter attempts – and goalkeeper Josie Le Masurier was then on hand with interceptions in the third period to help extend the advantage to 11 goals with 15 minutes to play.
And it got even better from there, with the Caesareans showing ‘no mercy’ to put the disappointment of back-to-back away defeats behind them and claim a 20-goal triumph – their best result since March.
‘Our set plays and desire to win were too much for Ryland,’ said Andrews. ‘We commanded the play and once we had taken the lead we never looked back.
| P | W | L | D | GAv | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tameside | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1.51 | 35 |
| Ryland | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1.15 | 31 |
| Kent County | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1.10 | 27 |
| Worcester Reds | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0.96 | 24 |
| Premier Romans | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0.95 | 20 |
| Clan | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0.85 | 19 |
| Telstars | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0.92 | 18 |
| Team Jets | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0.93 | 17 |
| Grangetown | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0.96 | 16 |
| Thoroughbreds | 7 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0.78 | 12 |
‘In the third quarter the defence were on fire, giving us the opportunity to stretch our lead, and once again fitness proved a strength for us … in the final quarter we showed no mercy.’
Andrews added: ‘There were feelings of relief, excitement and sheer joy as the final whistle sounded. It was a Jets day, and it’s now a happy camp.’
