Jersey Senior B 38, Guernsey 31: It was a nervous start for both teams but Jersey adjusted quickly and set moves gave them an early lead.Angie Davison was quick to drive to the circle edge, and with 16-year-old Abbie Hazley, in her first senior inter-insular, balancing the court attack, both players showing sensitivity when feeding their shooters.Also making her senior inter-island debut, GA Sophie Holmes (16) played with a maturity beyond her years, displaying a composed style topped by superb shooting.
Jersey ended the quarter 13-9 ahead.A focused Jersey defence began to dominate in the second, Laura Beeston converting interceptions to goals with unerring accuracy, and Jersey increased their lead to six goals by half-time.After the break Jersey lost their way for the first ten minutes, allowing Guernsey to pull level and then overtake them by one goal.
Jersey dug deep, and strong defending by captain Jane Le Feuvre and Ellen Richings, plus hard work around the circle by Hayley Miller gained Jersey several turnovers so that they were ahead again, by three goals, going into the last quarter.Determined to maintain this standard, Jersey began with renewed gusto and scored six without reply.
Hazley worked very hard in the centre, combining well with the strong Richings and Holmes’s slick finishing in attack.’It was an excellent team performance with a good mixture of youth and experience on court together,’ coach Linda Andrews said.
‘This game showed that Jersey has strength in depth, with the calibre of the youngsters coming through being able to compete at this level.
Jersey continues to dominate this game having only one defeat in the past ten years.’Jersey Under 18s 21, Guernsey 34: The first quarter went goal for goal, but Guernsey started to take control in the second quarter.
However, interceptions by captain and GD Holly Oakes and ‘keeper Laura Crabb and some breathtaking conversions by GA Jacqui Harrop and GS Natalie Rondel kept the Jersey team in contention with a half-time score of 14-12.Ella Hickey at WD had an inspired game and was always in the thick of the action, but the third quarter showed the young Guernsey side at their best, full of running and executing well-timed moves.WA Allana Binnie and centre Sarah Le Couilliard persevered, tirelessly supplying passes to their shooters, but Guernsey now had a grip on the game and led 23-15 going into the final quarter.Changes were made to the Jersey side, Zara Blake coming on as WA and Laura A’Court as WD, Hickey moving to GD and Oakes to GK.
This seemed to unsettle Guernsey for a short time, but the reds had left it too late for a comeback and it was a jubilant young Guernsey team who ran out worthy winners.’Guernsey were a class team and deserved their victory,’ said Linda Andrews.
‘The Jersey girls tried their best and I’m sure they’ll continue to enjoy their netball.’Jersey Over-35s 55, Guernsey 24: Jersey stormed into the lead in the first quarter and never looked back.
The squad of nine showed their versatility as changes were implemented in every quarter and no weaknesses were apparent.Jersey dominated the attack, with Sharon Ollivier and captain and player of the match Gill Kaye executing their shots with precision.
Jersey were 17-5 ahead after the first quarter.Dominance of the defending circle continued with Emma Blampied, Sue Dougherty and Tracey Fullerton denying space for Guernsey’s shooters and Jersey led 26-11 at half-time.
Julia Quant, Julie Brady, Tanya Olver and Tammy Fage provided solid play and tactically out-manoeuvred the Guernsey team.Clearly relishing the challenge, Jersey maintained the momentum and secured a well deserved victory by the biggest margin and the most goals scored in a game all weekend.Jersey Under-15s 25, Guernsey 34: The Jersey side stepped out hoping to reverse last year’s defeat, but despite giving their all it was not to be.Nevertheless, Jersey maintained good team spirit at all times, supporting each other throughout the court.
The defensive trio worked tirelessly, gaining many interceptions.It was a fine team effort, although coach Lisa Bowman was disappointed for the girls who have trained hard and worked well together as a squad.
But she was delighted with and proud of their effort all the way through.Jersey Under-12s 26, Guernsey 7: For the first time the under-12 netballers had a trophy to play for when they met at Beau Séjour and, as they had pledged before they travelled, the first name to be engraved on it will be Jersey’s.In the end they won comfortably, but one reason for their success was the seven months of hard work they had put in, guided by coaches Jackie Nelson and Yveline Le Manach.Within the first five minutes it was obvious that the Jersey side were in a class of their own.
Captain and WA Alex Austin inspired her team and she and centre Charise Renouf played controlled netball, feeding the attacking circle with precise and imaginative passes.
Nicole Goddard, Kirsten McArthur and Eleanor Humphrey marked their opponents out of the game and claimed any loose balls to put Jersey back on the attack.
At the other end of the court, shooters Emma Carré and Jenna Murphy converted some outstanding shots.Amy Dingle came onto centre court at the first break and her athleticism added a new dimension to the team and helped towards Jersey’s 14-3 lead at half-time.The versatility of the Jersey squad meant that changes could be made to the line-up, giving all ten players their moment of glory.
Elianne Riant donned the WA bib for the next quarter, and again the team adapted to the new line-up and forged ahead to lead 20-5.A complete reshuffle before the final quarter meant that Emma Carré was the only player to remain in position throughout, the rest of the squad having played wherever required.
Kerrie Jarvie came on as GA, confidently feeding her fellow shooter and netting some valuable goals to help Jersey secure their 26-7 victory.
