GUERNSEY’S under-15 girls retained the Shelagh Herbert trophy in this year’s hockey inter-insular at Les Quennevais on Saturday with a 3-0 win over Jersey.

Guernsey were the stronger side on the day, keeping possession of the ball and building up their attacks with accurate and impressive passing.

Jersey coach, Sarah Smith said of her team’s performance: ‘We were expecting to face a strong Guernsey side but Jersey were really outstanding – it’s the best I’ve ever seen them play.

Eve Taylor-Cox in midfield, Harriet Neal in goal and Larissa Perree played really well.

I am disappointed because I think we could have scored but we looked tired towards the end of the match.

However, the team did us proud and are really progressing well.’ It was only three minutes into the game when Guernsey’s Isabel Wray shot from within the D and put the ball in the back of the net with a fine strike to give her team the lead.

Jersey were forced to defend for most of the first half, and some excellent defensive work from Amy Le Quelenec, Abbie Lucas and Harriet Neal helped to keep Guernsey at bay.

Jersey worked hard to get back into the game in the first half and did build up some promising attacks putting the opposition under pressure, but Guernsey’s strength continually showed as they managed to prevent Jersey from scoring.

In the second half, Guernsey again were the stronger team and were quick to get their defence on the ball as soon as Jersey took possession.

Larissa Perree and Eve Taylor-Cox played well to help Jersey push forward, but they ran out of passing options as they neared the goal and Jersey couldn’t build any clear cut chances.

Witth Guernsey dominating, goals from Tiffany Gervais-Brazier and Anne Wheeler helped the Sarnians to a 3-0 win to retain the trophy.

Guernsey coach, Helen Watts who has been in charge of the team for two years said: ‘It was a nice high standard of hockey and Isobel Wray was a great team player today.

You can see that everyone really loves their hockey.

Two of our goals came from set-plays as such and they were fiercely fought.

It’s really good to see such a high standard of U15 hockey and it’s really encouraging for the CI team who play together soon.’ Umpire Melvin Cooper who has recently moved to the Island from the UK and has years of experience umpiring around the North-West of England said: ‘It was an excellent game played in really good spirits.

Both teams were equally skilful but it seemed that Guernsey just had one or two stronger players which made the difference.

The standard of Jersey hockey is excellent and is certainly competitive with England.’ Jersey U15s: Harriet Neal, Chantelle Audrain, Francesca Guarino (captain), Amy Le Quélénec, Abbie Lucas, Georgie Smith, Shannon Renouf, Eve Taylor-Cox, Rose Myers, Gabby Lucas, Katie McGinty, Sally-Ann Chalker, Larissa Perree, Harriet Kean, Sian O’Brien.

Guernsey U15s: Lucy Sharratt, Mary Lloyd, Emma Shell, Pippa Inderwick, Kelley Cameron, Abigail Woods, Isabel Wray, Megan Stewart, Caroline Eddie, Lucy Morris, Tiffany Gervais-Brazier, Emily Best, Chloe Dawes, Anne Wheeler, Elizabeth Wray.

Umpires: Melvin Cooper and Chris Curtis.