EVELYN Partners Jets head coach Emily Green admitted her side were “still slightly in shock” after producing a stunning 52-45 victory over Team Bath on their Premier League 2 return.
Team Bath 45 – 52 Evelyn Partners Jets
Q1: 8-13
Q2: 11-14 [19-27]
Q3: 13-14 [32-41]
Q4: 13-11 [45-52]
Venue: Sports Training Village, Bath University
Date: 13 September 2026, 2.30pm
Player of the Match: Isabella Lofthouse
The Islanders travelled to Bath University as clear underdogs against a side relegated from Premier League 1 last season – but a relentless performance saw the Jets establish control and hold their nerve to claim a memorable opening-day win.
“There were of course nerves before the game, with it being our first game in Prem 2 in a very long time,” said captain Rosie Tonner.
“But we really enjoyed getting back out there. We were really pleased to see where we are at as a team, and getting the first win on the board has given us plenty of confidence moving forwards in the league.”
Coach Green was effusive in her praise of the team’s performance.
“It was an incredible win, I think we’re all still slightly in shock,” she said. “Team Bath were previously in Premier League 1 last season, so for us to come up from Prem 3 and them to come down, it wasn’t looking like it was going to go our way on paper.”
The Jets had not played a competitive match for six months, but their extensive pre-season programme appeared to pay dividends as they matched Bath physically and mentally.
Green said the players’ commitment to their fitness and preparation had been “phenomenal”, with the squad also receiving assistance from Jersey’s basketball players during pre-season.
“It’s full credit to the girls’ professionalism and commitment that they were able to come into this game and match the Bath girls physically to enable us to even compete, let alone take the win,” she said.
The Jets started brightly but faced a strong Bath side in the opening exchanges before producing a decisive burst of six unanswered goals to lead 13-8 at the end of the first quarter.
They maintained that momentum to establish an eight-goal advantage at half-time, leading 27-19, before stretching their lead to nine heading into the final quarter.
Bath threatened a comeback in the final 15 minutes, but the Jets had done enough groundwork to withstand the pressure and secure maximum points.
Green said the message throughout was to remain focused on their “phase by phase mentality”.
“If something’s gone wrong, let it go and move on to the next phase of play,” she explained. “We knew if we let them in for a few minutes they would have stamped out all our hard work, so we made sure we stayed on them.”
The Jets were forced into a change before the match, with Jacy Brown and Toni Chaytor unavailable in the midcourt.
That opened the door for young star and Jets programme graduate Isabella Lofthouse to make her first Premier League 2 start at centre – and she took her opportunity emphatically.
“She was outstanding,” gushed Green. “She was like an engine, she was utterly relentless. She did everything we asked of her and I said at the end of the game to her that she couldn’t have given me any more. It was phenomenal.”
Lofthouse was subsequently named both the players’ and coaches’ player of the match.
Green was keen to stress, however, that the victory was very much a squad effort, with strong contributions throughout the team.
Jodie Blampied’s defensive work was singled out for praise, while captain Rosie Tonner impressed with her feeding and Lily Jones and Grace Thomson continued their developing shooting partnership with a composed display against a physical Bath defence.
“There was also a significant moment for Lauren Devine, who returned to competitive action after injury and came on at goal keeper, allowing Becca Forrest to move from to goal defence for the first time.
“It was great to see Lauren return to the court,” said Green, who was called Devine a Team Jets teammate.
“She’s captained the side for so many years, still throughout having children and being injured, and she’s Team Jets’ biggest supporter.
“For her to make her return and overcome a pretty big injury with all the hard work she’s put in over pre-season was amazing.”
Another young up-and-comer Florence Allo also played an important role, coming into the game to offer Molly Carre a spell of rest at wing defence after only just finishing a Regional game herself.
The Jets’ statistics may not have been as clean as usual, with Green admitting their error rate was higher than normal, but she believes the circumstances made that understandable.
“Coming across a tougher team, they are going to force more errors from us,” she noted.
“There were always going to be errors, but nobody let their heads drop. It was a real show of resilience and determination.”
And after arriving in Bath as “underdogs”, Green believes the result could have sent an early warning to the rest of the division.
“We were the underdogs in this game and I think there will be a lot of teams who will see this score and be wary of us now, which puts us in a great position.
“We always have things to work on which we will take back to the training court and try and tighten up on, but this is a massive confidence-boosting performance for us.”
Tonner and co are back in action again this weekend September 20 where they travel to Loughborough to face Charnwood.
Elsewhere in Regional League 2 North, the Jets 2s returned with a double-header victory on the road.
Saturday’s clash with Tor Knights saw them claim a commanding 56-25 win, before backing it up on Sunday with another impressive win, 55-29 over Devizes.
This leaves the young Jets side top of the division after their opening weekend of fixtures.
Also on the road this weekend are both Jets U14 and U16 squads, who return to the mainland for competitive action after a year beak.
Jersey Netball president Wendy Luce was keen to stress that if anyone would like to offer financial assistance and sponsorship towards helping fund of these trips, to contact Jersey Netball.
Evelyn Partners Jets: Rosie Tonner (c), Emily Le Gros, Lily Jones, Grace Thomson, Izzy Lofthouse, Jodie Blampied, Layla Dos Santos, Molly Carre, Becca Forrest, Lauren Devine, Florence Allo
Starting 7: Lily Jones (GS), Grace Thomson (GA), Rosie Tonner (WA), Izzy Lofthouse (C), Jodie Blampied (WD), Molly Carre (GD), Becca Forrest (GK)
Evelyn Partners Jets 2: Mollie Luce (c), Sofia Hussey (vc), Sam Salzone (vc), Emily Dove, Lara Spary, Poppy Hughes, Bethannie Wood, Florence Allo, Amelia Coutanche
Premier League 2 Results
Charnwood 55 – 33 Linden
Ryland 58 – 46 Blackpool
Telstars 40 – 45 New Cambell
Team Bath 45 – 52 Evelyn Partners Jets
Tameside 34 – 73 Cumberland
