We beat them both – by just one goal,’ Andrews said.
In Saturday’s match against Avon, Jersey were in complete control and ahead all the way until the fourth quarter, Andrew said.
‘It was a very fast game, we challenged everything and shooter Laura Beeston was outstanding, she dominated the circle, and we ended the third quarter 25-18.
Then it all went pear-shaped in the last quarter, and she missed nine shots, one after the other, and every time we missed Avon went and scored.
Laura started to pass to Shelby (Wright, goal attack) and she started missing too! They were catching us up, but the girls started to score again and we won, just!’ Sunday’s game against Cornwall was a much harder and more physical event.
‘We were 10-7 up at the first break, Laura was in brilliant form again although the Cornwall goalkeeper was very physical, but Laura kept her composure.
Jenna Meredith, at wing attack, had a cracking game and commanded the centre circle and Sharon West and Mary Blampied’s defensive play was superb.’ With tiredness creeping in and the passes getting slower, Andrews substituted a few players, including Sophie Holmes in for Beeston in the fourth, and the youngster responded well, despite the pressure.
‘The last quarter went goal for goal, and at 34 each and with 27 seconds to go, Sophie’s shot went in, and that was that.’ Cornwall’s coach – who is also the England U19 coach – has been immensely supportive of Andrews and the Jersey side, and she was generous in her praise for the Jersey girls.
‘She was very impressed, and said our goalkeeper, Sharon West, would be player of the match in her view.’ With both the U18 teams victorious too – they beat the Avon and Cornwall U18 sides easily, 64-16 and 37-19 respectively – Andrews is more than happy with the results in the matches designed as part of the run-up to the inter-insulars.
The Jersey seniors have two more league matches this season, against Mid Hants who are currently bottom of the table, and Suffolk, currently in fifth place.
Matches will be played in the UK on 19 and 20 March.
