JERSEY netball fans handed out a homecoming deserving of the standing ovations given, as both Team Jets teams shone against Mavericks at Les Ormes on Saturday.
The full force of the sensational Jets programme this season was on show for the packed house to enjoy, facing two sides from the Mavericks programme, the Hawks for the Jets 2s, and the Eagles for the first team.
Home fixtures are rare for the Jets, with their Regional League 1 division based in the South of England. The constant diet of away fixtures meant the opportunity for a double-header home weekend brought a real feeling of excitement and energy to Les Ormes.
Kicking off the occasion was the Team Jets 2 squad, comprised of a blend of youth and experience, pushing for a chance in the first team.
The fixture saw a return of two crowd favourites in Jacy Brown and Leah Griffin.
They faced a Mavericks Hawks side sat in eighth place in Regional League 3, while the Jets are flying high at the top of the division.
“The crowd was just amazing,” said Jets legend Brown.
“It was so great to get back on court, I’d forgotten how physical it was,” she jested.
“Seeing how this group has developed and getting to play with them was fantastic, the girls were excellent today.”
However, first out of the traps was the away side, with the Hawks taking a 8-12 lead after the first quarter.
“It took a bit of time to gel in the first quarter,” Brown admitted, “but once it clicked, we started to play some excellent netball.”
Once the second quarter started, it was all Jets.
Star shooter Leah Griffin, playing her first game of the season in the Jets uniform, looked as though she’d never been away.
Ably supporting her, was the returning Aimee Bourke (GA), who again seemed to have lost nothing in her time away from the court.
The speed of passing increased, the positioning improved and the shooting was on point.
From being 8-12 down after the first quarter, they had seized control of the game, and a handy 22-20 lead at half-time.
Immediately from the off, an outstanding interception from the first Mavericks attack immediately set the tone.
Jets pulled away, breaking open a seven point lead midway through the quarter as the swiftness of the forward play raised the decibels in the room.
Hawks finished the quarter strong however, bringing it back to within three, going into the fourth 33-29 in favor of the home side.
Some magnificent defence again saw the momentum immediately swing Jets’ way, and they controlled the final quarter beautifully, walking off as deserved 42-35 winners to a standing ovation from the home faithful.
Jersey Netball president Linda Andrews said after the win: “It was edge of your feet stuff, it was such an entertaining game.
“I thought the girls were amazing against a tough opposition. We spoke at half-time about making sure we score from that centre pass, and when we got that cushion we held on to it.
“For our defence as well, who are still so young, I thought they were outstanding and it was just so awesome to see.
“It’s full credit to the Team Jets programme that every player who steps on court knows their roles and responsibilities and it’s paying dividends.”
Also keen to praise the talent coming through, Brown added: “Some of the talent we have in this programme is just amazing and the young girls out there today were just so good.
“Lara Spary was so energetic, Daisy [Dunn] did a great job, and Flo [Allo] and Summer [Watkins] at the back I thought were so impressive as well.
“The way these girls were reading the game at such a young age is such a big asset to them and they will continue to get better, which is so exciting for everyone.”
Having waited in the wings for their opportunity, it was then time for the first team to show the crowd just how good the standard is.
Captain Rosie Tonner and co did not disappoint.
Having a player of Lily Jones’ quality in the D is a luxury for any team, and she was firmly in the zone from the off as she found the net with absurd ease.
Her attacking partner Emily Le Gros (GA) has been superb this season, stepping into such a crucial role in the side and conducting herself with such composure for someone still so young.
Le Gros spoke after the game, saying: “It was a tough game, they pushed us hard right to the end.
“We were able to get turnovers at crucial moments which really helped us keep our momentum.
“It’s been such an incredible season so far, I’ve loved every minute of it.
“There’s been some challenges along the way but the players and the coaching staff have made the transition into the team really easy.
“Getting to play with the more experienced players, playing in a pair with someone like Lily Jones, it’s amazing. You’re literally watching the best, you can’t get much better.”
Throughout the court, Jets were outstanding.
The ever-dependable Jodie Blampied was commanding as always, and the defensive duo of Molly Carre and Becca Forrest, later also with Sam Salzone, were utterly ruthless.
They commanded from the word go, taking a 16-10 lead after the first, and a 31-18 lead into half-time, with both Jones and Le Gros on red hot form under the post.
The changes rung for the home side, however the style, organisation and flare continued.
Each player looked in control of their roles and their collective understanding as a unit was a joy to watch from the stands.
The romp would continue, and the crowd rose as one for the second time of the day, cheering a comprehensive 61-36 Jets victory.
Attacker Maddie Fitzgerald-Wilkins commented post match: “It was a really physical game, everyone showed such great energy.
“We work hard on our fitness and it’s so great when we can see it pay off under pressure in matches.
“I thought the entire squad was on form, the mood is great and we’re loving playing at the moment.”
Concluding the day, Super League star Lily Jones said: “It was amazing to be back in front of our home fans, they were incredible and we want to thank them so much for their support.
“I thought we were great today, our speed of play was excellent and I think our fitness really played a big role.
“We work hard on our fitness and it’s something we know plays a huge role in success at these levels and I thought it really made a difference today.
“Emily [Le Gros] has so much potential, ever since she’s come in, her understanding of the game and how quickly she’s picked up everything is just perfect, we don’t have to tell her to do anything out there, she’s in control and she was great today.
“We were disappointed of course after last week against Poole, but we spent all week asking the questions of what went wrong and how we could improve, and I think we showed that with this performance.”
Victory takes Team Jets back level with league leaders Hucclecote Comets atop of Netball South West’s Regional League 1.
Both Team Jets sides return to action on the weekend of 8/9 February, where the first team will have their shot at revenge as they square off again with rivals Poole.
Team Jets 2: Florence Allo, Katie Doyle, Summer Watkins, Imogen Taylor, Jacy Brown, Daisy Dunn, Lara Spary, Sofia Hussey, Emily Dove, Leah Griffin,
Team Jets: Becca Forrest, Summer Watkins, Molly Carre, Sam Salzone, Jodie Blampied, Nicole Goddard, Toni Chaytor, Maddie Fitzgerald-Wilkins, Rosie Tonner (c), Emily Le Gros, Lily Jones
