THE Evelyn Partner Jets welcome an opportunity to potentially take top spot in Premier League 3 tomorrow as they host Leeds Athletic at Oakfield Sports Centre.
Star goalkeeper Becca Forrest is expected to return to the starting line up after missing their last game for what is set to be an exciting clash tomorrow, set for a 3.30pm start.
The Jets currently sit just two points off top spot with four games remaining, including tomorrow. Both sides above them, Ryland and Exeter, remain tied on 59 points each, with the former atop the division on goal difference.
The Jets have recorded opposing records against both sides this season, with two defeats to Exeter balanced out by two wins over Ryland.
Ryland face a tough away fixture tomorrow against fourth placed Norfolk United, while Exeter host fifth placed Sussex Thunder. With just three games left this season after tomorrow, Rosie Tonner and her teammates know if they are to push for that top spot come end of March, they cannot afford any slip ups.
The Jets have already recorded a win over Leeds in the reverse fixture away from home back in October, a close 47-44 victory, but one that did not prosper a bonus point.
As has been the case throughout this season, the Jets will know of the challenges Leeds post. All throughout this campaign, teams at both ends of the division have produced wins against all and any, proving how competitive Premier League teams are.
Despite sitting one spot off the bottom, Leeds remain just three points away from being comfortably in mid-table. They recorded a strong ten point win over YMCA Magic two games ago, but suffered a fairly convincing defeat to Exeter away from home last week 50-61.
They have recorded five wins this campaign however, including an impressive 55-51 win over Norfolk United to start their 2026.
The Jets remain on a high after an excellent start to the new year. After a defeat to Exeter to close out 2025, they have gone on a three game winning streak which has included excellent wins over Ryland, Worcester Reds and their biggest win of the season, 64-39 against Hatfield Hawks last time out.
Coach Emily Green was full of praise post the Hatfield win, as well as complimenting her teams accountability after a change in their pre-match preparations. Green explained the coaching staff wanted the players to own more responsibility on their personal expectations and standards, asking a member of each unit to speak during the pre-match talks and lay out their expectations and goals for the game.
What followed what their largest win of the season by some distance, the first time they’ve passed 60 points this campaign and what feels like a giant leap in the right direction at the right time.
Even without starting goalkeeper Becca Forrest on the day, they defended as a pack expertly and were clinical under the posts in offense. Tomorrow’s squad features the usual gang in action again as they line up hoping to seal their fourth consecutive win.
A win by more than five goals and the resulting bonus point will be the target for a side chasing every point they can. A bonus point could go a long way this week for the Jets considering the difficulty of the fixtures facing the two sides above them.
Action from Oakfield Sports Centre is scheduled for a 3:30pm start tomorrow.
Evelyn Partners Jets squad to face Leeds Athletic: Rosie Tonner (c), Jodie Blampied, Jacy Brown, Molly Carre, Toni Chaytor, Becca Forrest, Nicole Goddard, Lily Jones, Sam Salzone, Grace Thomson
Coaches: Serena Kersten, Emily Green & Lauren Devine
Premier League 3
