The under-13 and U14 Academy and Development groups both won their area finals to qualify for the Junior Nationals for the first time, while the Island’s Deutsche Bank ladies maintained Division IV status in the English Counties League, with victories over Mid Hampshire and Suffolk.
Jersey coach Linda Andrews said: ‘The Island teams have had a brilliant weekend.
I’m so proud of them.
It’s 12 years since we entered the Junior Nationals and to win both the age groups was a fantastic effort.’ The U13s and U14s won every game bar two, the U13s had one draw in their ten games while the U14s lost to CD Phoenix 11-6 in a group game but bounced back to beat them 8-6 in the final.
‘There were some great performances.
In the U14s goalkeeper Josie Le Masurier made a lot of brilliant interceptions and at the other end shooter Fabienne Pingeon was so calm – but whole team were excellent against a much taller side.’ ‘I wondered how we were going to do – now I know and I’m optimistic we’ll put on a good show in the finals in Manchester in July.
Both teams played at a high standard and now we’ve got to train and work hard together to maintain that standard through to the finals.’ The U13s defeated Celtic Academy, from Cornwall, 10-3 in their final.
Andrews added: ‘Other teams and their spectators were very impressed by our teams.
We looked sharp and committed and the compliments we were given were extremely pleasing.’ Andrews also helped coach Jersey to their 39-36 ECL League Division IV win against Mid Hampshire on Saturday.
Jersey started confidently and made some excellent interceptions, feeding the ball quickly forward to lead 13-5 after the first quarter.
A sore shin forced centre Laura King off and young replacement Abbie Hazley filled in well as Jersey led 20-13 at half time.
Andrews made three changes, giving key players a vital rest for their second game on Sunday.
Andrews added: ‘We lost another goal advantage in the third quarter but we were able to hold on comfortably.
It’s frustrating but in every game we played we had one bad quarter.
‘It happened again in the last with 11 missed shots.
But by then we’d done enough to win.’ The next day Jersey faced Suffolk and they triumphed 43-39.
Jersey captain Shelby Wright said: ‘We knew what we were up against and we had a great weekend.
We had to beat Sussex or face relegation and we won after being seven goals down at half time.’ In fact, with other results going their way Jersey would have been safe in any case, but that does not detract from the victory.
Things weren’t looking good when Wright came off injured with a twisted ankle.
Sophie Holmes replaced her and had an outstanding match winning back some vital rebounds.
Laura Beeston at goal shooter scored 23 shots out of 30.
U13s: Alex Austin, Amy Dingle, Eleanor Humphrey, Elianne Riant, Emma Carre, Jenna Murphy, Kerrie Jarvie, Kirsten McArthur, Nicole Goddard, Stephanie Le Ruez.
U14s: Amy Binnie, Bethan Conroy, Danielle Strickley, Emily Sumner, Fabienne Pingeon, Harriet Simon, Jacy Brown, Josie Le Masurier, Kathryn Miller, Terri Booth.
Seniors: Shelby Wright, Sharon West, Laura Beeston, Sophie Holmes, Abbie Hazley, Laura King, Rena Nelson, Hayley Miller, Mary Blampied, Jenna Meredith, Lauren Devine.
The U13s are sponsored by Ronez and the U14s by Frontline International and Deutsche Bank.
Laura King is sponsored by Close Asset Management.
