THE Evelyn Partners Jets produced a record-breaking win on Saturday afternoon as they set the season record for highest points scored and the largest win margin of the campaign with their 76-39 demolition of Leeds Athletic.
Evelyn Partners Jets 76 – Leeds Athletic 39
Q1: 24-7
HT: 42-18
Q3: 60-27
FT: 76-39
Player of the Match: Jodie Blampied
The new Oakfield Sports Centre was treated to an all-time performance from a side who continue to get better every time they are on court.
Last time out, the Jets produced their biggest win of the season, beating Hatfield Hawks 64-39, but the performance against Leeds felt like an even bigger step.
Not only was this the first time they have passed the 70-point mark this season, the way they got there was as dazzling on the eyes as it was bruising for the Leeds Athletic squad.
“Honestly, we blew them out of the water from the off,” said head coach Serena Kersten. “It was a really impressive start to the game and I felt like that went a long way to setting up the win for us. Leeds were a young, inexperienced side and they struggled to deal with our intensity from the off.”
Captain Rosie Tonner added: “We were really pleased with our performance, we came out the blocks firing and continued that throughout the game. Leeds had a depleted and very young squad so we managed to take advantage of that and our experience certainly shone through in the game.”
Fellow coach Emily Green spoke after the Hatfield win about how the coaching staff had asked the players to start increasing their levels of accountability by changing the pre-match talks to be more player led.
Back-to-back record wins seem to be a pretty convincing way of showing your coaches that you’re understanding and accepting the note.
The speed of play within the first quarter compared to their opponents was palpable. The Jets soared out of the blocks into a 7-0 lead and never looked back. Leeds staggered off the court at the end of Q1 24-7 down and looking as though they knew their fate was already sealed.
The ruthlessness of the performance proved imminent in the second quarter though. The foot didn’t even quiver from the gas peddle, and the Jets closed out the first half with a 42-18 advantage.
This stat reads ever more remarkable considering the reverse fixture saw the Jets claim a narrow 47-44 win.
The start of the second half saw some changes made, but there was no change to the momentum. Crisp pacing, accurate shooting and sublime defensive hustle meant the hosts hit the 60 point mark by the end of the third quarter.
With the record in sight, the Jets remained clinical to the end. The full time buzzer rang throughout the hall, but it was only the cheers of the home fans that could be heard.
It was not just the offensive prowess or the defensive stoicism, it was the fitness that looked the biggest gulf. Whether moving up the court or retreating back, the Jets players never looked out of position for a second.
In the offensive circle, attackers Lily Jones, Grace Thomson and Rosie Tonner were constantly moving, darting in and out to find space and confuse their opposing defenders.
At the other end, defenders Becca Forrest, Molly Carre and Player of the Match Jodie Blampied proved an impenetrable wall of smart positioning and ruthless concentration.
The Leeds forwards had nowhere to go and often, their shots at goal came from much farther out than the likes of Jones and Thomson.
Kersten continued: “I’m so proud of the girls, this is our fourth win in a row and we’re fully deserving of all of them. We’re really starting to look and feel like a premier league side and it’s amazing to see the application we’re asking for to be shown in real time during matches. The performances continue to keep getting better and more consistent, as do the scorelines, and that’s a really exciting place to be at this stage of the season.”
Player of the Match Jodie Blampied was hailed by Kersten post-match. After returning from an injury that kept her out for several weeks before the Christmas break, Blampied has roared back to her best.
“Jodie was outstanding,” Kersten gushed. “Her movement and anticipation in defence was excellent and her ball speed in transitioning was excellent as well, she’s a massive addition to have back to full fitness. Elsewhere though, I thought Toni Chaytor was excellent also in the Centre role and Rosie [Tonner] was also very impressive at Wing Attack. The group is looking in a really good place at the moment and are really coming in to their own at the back end of the season, which is a good sign for us with just three games remaining.”
Skipper Tonner concluded with an enthusiastic tone: “We are really pleased to be keeping ourselves in the running for potential promotion and are already set to turn our focus on to Sussex Thunder next week which we are expecting a tough battle.”
Both Ryland and Exeter secured wins yesterday also, so the Jets remain in third place with three games remaining. See the league table below.
The next Jets game is scheduled for a tough away trip to Sussex Thunder at the Brighton Sport and Health Complex on 1 March.
Evelyn Partners Jets squad v 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
Jets remaining fixtures
01/03 – vs Sussex Thunder (away)
07/03 – vs Northants Storm (home)
29/03 – Norfolk United (away)
PREMIER LEAGUE 3
