TEAM JETS celebrated their stunning South West Regional League 1 title and subsequent play-off spot with a comfortable 60-33 victory over Exeter Equinox to close out the regular season.
Jets co-captain Jacy Brown said how impressed she has been with her team’s output of late.
“It was nice to go into this game knowing the pressure was off us a little bit and we could just go out and enjoy it.
“With our play-off spot secured, we could use this match as more game time for the girls and another chance for us to test our tactics, which was massively beneficial.”
Victory marked their second victory over the Exeter side this season, having beaten them 45-35 in the season opener back in September.
“We thought they might bring a bit more to us this game in all honesty,” Brown continued.
“It just shows how much we have come on this season. We annihilated them in the first quarter, which gave us a real stranglehold early on which we could comfortably play with.”
Of their 18 league matches this season, Serena Kersten’s side surpassed 50 points in each of their last 11 matches, including reaching 60 points seven times.
“I felt we were really strong all over the court,” added Brown.
“To put 60 on the board again is extremely pleasing and shows how well our offensive game has improved.
“But also we were excellent defensively as well, that’s been just as big a part to our success this season.
“Serena has pushed us hard this season to improve at both ends of the court and for us to be consistently dominating in both areas is a good sign for us.”
Brown and her teammates now have a fortnight before they embark on the play-offs. Qualifying in one of three groups, they will face London side LSC, Bristol-based Premier Romans and D side, a Welsh team playing in Manchester.
After a round-robin style group competition, the Islanders will need to finish in the top two of their four-team group to progress to a final, where the winner will be promoted alongside the victors from the other two groups.
The co-captain said: “We’re desperate to get back to that final.
“We were devastated to miss out last year after being beaten by Blackpool at the final hurdle, but I think we’re in a better position this year as a squad.
“We all understand our roles really well and I feel we are peaking at the right time.
“We are more well-rounded and have excellent options throughout the squad.”
Star shooter Leah Griffin, who was sidelined in January after suffering an ankle injury, confirmed her return to full fitness with a full 60 minutes against Exeter.
Brown was keen to emphasise how important Griffin’s return is as well as having several tactical options at their disposal.
“Having Leah [Griffin] back was great for us and for her too.
“She offers a great option in attack for us. Rosie [Tonner] and Lynsey [Pitman] have built a great partnership in her absence and, with her now back, we have more weapons in our arsenal.
“We have two weeks to keep ourselves fit and sharp now. It would have been nice to have a bit longer, but as we’re in such good form at the moment we feel this will play to our advantage.
“You’ve got all the regional league winners from around the country coming together so it’s going to be tough, there’s going to be some top netball on display.
“We’re all right up for the challenge and feel more confident than ever to get the job done and create some history this year.
“The girls have been amazing, along with Serena and all the amazing work she has done this season with us.
“We’ll hit those play-offs with full force and hopefully we can do something really special for netball in Jersey.”
Team Jets: Rosie Tonner (cc), Jacy Brown (cc), Lynsey Pitman, Leah Griffin, Emily Le Gros, Antonia Chaytor, Taylor-Mai Dickson, Maddison Fitzgerald-Wilkins, Jodie Blampied, Nicole Goddard, Layla Dos Santos, Lauren Devine, Becca Forrest, Kat Le Riche.
