JERSEY’S Team Moore Stephens netballers could finish second in Division IV of the English County League if they win their last two matches tomorrow - and if Sussex beat Wiltshire by more than five goals.
The team travel to Birmingham today - weather permitting - and play Tyne and Wear later this afternoon, then take on Suffolk tomorrow.The team is without Jackie Norman, a real blow, but the team is used to rotating and Shelby Houghton will step into Norman’s shoes with Jenna Bushell moving to attack, providing a familiar line up.’Two youngsters will be getting their first senior caps this weekend,’ coach Linda Andrews said.
‘Sophie Holmes and Abigail Hazley have been given permission by AENA to play up a level - they are still in the under 16 age-group but their ability at training has proved that they are more than ready for this challenge.’She said that the youngters have been drafted in to provide more rest time for the squad.’Two matches over two days are very demanding.’This afternoon’s match against Tyne and Wear should provide a reasonably comfortable way back up to this standard of netball as the squad have not played a competitive game of this calibre since the match against Leicestershire on 7 February.’We’re planning to use the whole squad in this game, ready for the tougher game on Sunday against Suffolk,’ she said.Suffolk and Jersey are very evenly matched and it should be an exciting game.
For the first time in the ECL the Jersey squad will be cheered on by a crowd of 25 of their own supporters - Jersey players from the Academy group and JNA are travelling too, as part of the JNA development programme.The Academy girls will be having games themselves - against Leicestershire and Birmingham - and will then meet up with the senior team to enjoy the opportunity to watch the International between England and Australia.’It’s going to be pretty hectic, but I hope everyone will enjoy a netball-packed weekend,’ Andrews said.
Article posted on 20th March, 2004 - 12.00am
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