Hockey:Fine show despite final defeat

Hockey:Fine show despite final defeat

Having leaked two goals in the first half of the decider, a change of formation allowed Jersey to boss the game and they soon levelled with goals from Stuart Ramskill from a short corner and a skilful Peter Millar, who beat the keeper with great composure.

After Chris Buck’s yellow card for a rash tackle reduced Jersey to ten men, they were disappointed to be denied a penalty stroke when Mark Dicker appeared to be fouled right in front of goal.

A further blow then came at the other end when Simon Watling was yellow-carded for a seemingly minor offence and a penalty was duly put away by the hosts.

Bobby Minty and Nathan Maguire created several chance but none were taken, and the Isle of Man continued to force several classy saves from Ruan Simpson before the final whistle blew with the Manx side taking the victory 3-2.

Herbert said: ‘I felt we were quite unlucky with decisions in the final and I know the squad did too, but moving forward, they should take a lot from these two days and the opportunity of playing in this tournament, and be very satisfied with the overall performance.’ Still delighted with how her squad performed as a unit, she added: ‘The quality and intensity of their hockey was the best I’ve seen since I have been involved with the squad.

I was also very impressed with how the youngsters performed – Dan Lundy, Tom and Peter Millar all did very well.

‘In particular, Bradley Wherry was fantastic and he played every minute of every game to a very high level indeed.

In any side the balance of youth and experience is a great asset, and it certainly worked for us.’ In their first game of the four-island tournament Jersey beat Bermuda 4-2 with goals from captain Bill Aston (2), Luke Maguire and Tom Millar.

On the same day they faced the Isle of Man for the first time and struggled for rhythm in the first half, going down 1-0 after eight minutes.

In the middle third, however, they got back into the game and looked the better side in build-up play, with Minty hitting the post and Lundy’s goal being disallowed before Ramskill scored as the match drew to a close to gain a crucial point for a 1-1 draw.

Jersey then went into Sunday confident of their ability and took on Guernsey, to whom they lost 1-0 in March.

Against the run of play, the Sarnians took the lead but Jersey responded with great intensity and 18-year-old Wherry took the game by the scruff of the neck – his blistering pace and great engine at left-half was acknowledged by the whole squad as outstanding.

Minty pushed forward from full-back to cause some problems but it was Mark Dicker who scored twice before Arnou Helmholt Kniesel scored, after a great pass from Luke Maguire, to make the final score 3-1.

Bermuda beat Guernsey into third place in the event, which is set to be hosted by Jersey in two years.

Jersey squad: Ruan Simpson, Chris Buck, Simon Watling, Bobby Minty, Bradley Wherry, Dan Lundy, Matt Wilson, Arnou Helmholt Kneisel, Bill Aston, Stuart Ramskill, Nathan Maguire, Mike James, Mark Dicker, Tom Millar, Peter Millar, Luke Maguire.

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