THE under-15 Jersey Secondary Schools hockey girls were beaten 3-0 in Guernsey in the annual inter-insular at the weekend.

The swift conversion of a penalty stroke inside three minutes set the Sarnians on their way to victory.Jersey had started the game brightly, with Aleisha Duffy Breen stamping her authority on the game in the opening minutes, winning a short corner, but this was efficiently dealt with by the home defence.From the defensive hit out Guernsey broke quickly, driving into the Jersey circle.

A use of the back of the stick was judged to be intentional, and a penalty stroke was awarded which was converted confidently by Guernsey’s Hannah McClaughlin.This lifted Guernsey who started to create more, enjoy more possession and pressurise the Jersey goal, wheich earned them a long corner.Duffy Breen continued to impress for Jersey and the visitors had another good break; Fiona Anderson’s skills allowing Becky Slater to drive into the circle, winning the visiting side a short corner.However, Guernsey again responded with a quick break, which resulted in a good shot saved by Jersey ‘keeper Ashley Goodwin.The Jersey defence, with strong performances from Grace Bailey, Harriet Simon and Lynsey Pitman, maintained their resistance to a physical Guernsey side, who were getting into their stride.

Jersey forced another short corner on the stroke of half time, but Guernsey again defended well to maintain their 1-0 lead at the break.Guernsey started stronger in the second half and better possession resulted in their second goal.Jersey kept up their enthusiasm and effort but physically Guernsey had the edge and they scored their third goal five minutes from the end as the visitors’ efforts began to take their toll.Jersey’s hockey development officer Shelagh Herbert said that the young and inexperienced Jersey side had played well and continually looked to work the ball and play as a team.

‘They will have learned a great deal from this game and should be proud of their performance against a Guernsey side with a very strong attacking force,’ she said.The following Jersey girls were selected for the U15 CI trip to the Western counties age group tournament: Fiona Anderson, Grace Bailey, Aleisha Duffy Breen, Laura Ferrara, Alice Le Feuvre, Lynsey Pitman, Harriet Simon and Becky Slater (vice-captain).