“WE know what we are working towards and we know what we are striving for,” said Team Jets’ goal defence Lauren Devine after a reassuring 53-36 win over Poole.
Netball fans on the Island have this season been able to cheer on their local heroes at home for the first time in many years – and they were treated to a powerful performance at Les Ormes in their last home match of this campaign.
The win put Jets clear at the top of the Netball South West Regional League 1 table and in the driving seat for a place at the national play-off for promotion.
“But we know there’s a long way to go,” added Devine, with a note of caution. “We’ve got a double header next week so there’s no time to rest.”
Jets started strong with Leah Griffin netting first. With captain Jacey Brown controlling mid-court, the hosts were moving much sharper than their guests and with Griffin efficient with her shooting, the Jersey team concluded the first quarter with a 15-9 lead.
Head coach Serena Kersten brought on Taylor-Mai Dickson at wing defence but the pattern of the match remained unchanged with the second quarter ending with a commanding 32-16 scoreline in Jets’ favour.
However, Poole rallied in the third quarter after Kersten was forced to shuffle the team following an ankle injury to Griffin.
“It looked pretty nasty but we’ll have to wait and see after she has seen a physio,” said Kersten. “Ankles do take time and if she has gone over it quite heavily we’ll have to go back to the drawing board and see what it looks like in a few days.”
Brown, Lindsay Pitman and Rosie Tonner all moved up a position with Toni Chaytor coming on at centre, and by the end of the quarter Poole had reduced the deficit to nine.
But it was back to business in the fourth quarter for Jets after Dickson was moved into centre and Nicole Goddard came back in at wing defence and Kersten’s side finished the game strongly to complete a rousing team performance.
“It was a tough game. They are really good side. But we’re so pleased to pull out that performance in front of a home crowd,” said Devine, while Kersten added: “It’s a big win for us. We really wanted to put in a performance for our last home game and it was really pleasing to see the girls start strong.
“We’re a fit and robust team. I had full confidence in the girls out there. Poole were not a team you could snub. They are third in the table and they’ve got a really young and exciting team. We had a bit of a wobble in the third quarter but got back on track.”
It was a perfect start to the new year and the perfect way to end the first half of the season, top of the table, three points ahead of Huddlestone Comets.
“It’s where we want to be and where I expect the girls to be. They’re big critics of themselves. They are constantly pushing for more, wanting more and it’s a great position to be in as a coach,” concluded Kersten.
Team Jets: Becca Forrest, Leah Devine, Nicole Goddard, Jacey Brown (c), Lindsay Pitman, Rosie Tonner, Leah Griffin. Substitutes: Taylor-Mai Dickson, Toni Chaytor.
