JERSEY repeated their feat of last year in winning six out of seven matches in this year’s netball inter-insulars held at Fort Regent.

As reported in Monday’s edition, the senior A and B teams recorded comfortable victories, 48-22 and 54-32 respectively.

However, it was down to the youngest team to start the weekend’s proceedings and for both Jersey and Guernsey the roaring support from the crowd ensured a nervous start to the under-12s match.

It took until the second quarter for the teams to cope with the intimidating situation and although the score was 4-4 at the start of it, Jersey settled into the game and inched to a 9-5 lead.

From the third quarter there was no stopping the Jersey team as the centre court players drove the ball up to the shooters who rarely missed a goal to go 18-9 up.

In the final quarter, the Jersey defence were not letting any balls pass and by continually intercepting or tipping the ball in their favour, Guernsey were unable to score any goals and Jersey came out champions with a 25-9 result.

The U14s match remained close until the second half with Jersey edging Guernsey in the first two quarters, by one goal, to go from 4-3 to 7-6 up at half time.

Similarly to the U12s, the second half allowed Jersey to surge ahead and they increased their lead from 14-11 at the end of the third period to 22-14 at the final whistle.

Jersey were also dominant in their under-16 fixture, going from a 13-6 lead at the end of the first quarter, to be 24-15 at half time. Making changes throughout didn’t deter the team and they maintained their advantage to be 34-25 and then 50-37 at the final whistle.

‘It didn’t matter which combination of shooters I put out between Emma Carre, Lucy Crossman and Cordelia Overland, they all played very well and the same in defence with Nicole Goddard, Laura Harris and Steph Le Ruez,’ explained coach Linda Andrews.

‘Even though they all offer different strengths, they all gelled together and produced quality defending. The centre court was strong throughout and Lisa Luce, as centre, was exceptionally dominant.

‘Jenna Murphy and Natalie Helio distributed the ball around the circle edge and outwitted the Guernsey defence while Amy Dingle and Charlotte Trigg helped keep the momentum going – they were a real cohesive unit and played some lovely netball.’

The new under-19 fixture proved to be one of the closest games of the weekend and provided spectators with a thrilling climax to the first day’s play with the game tipping in Jersey’s favour in the final quarter as they secured a 41-32 victory.

Megan Conroy commanded centre court and linked well in attack while captain, Lauren Devine, led her team with inspired interceptions to help them to a 10-6 lead at the end of the first period.

The second quarter went to Guernsey and they forged into a 16-15 lead at half time however, a reshuffle allowed Jersey to settle with Jacy Brown using her speed and elevation around the court to good use, linking well with Lara Crenan whose exquisite feeds to her shooters helped Carre and Lynsey Pitman to convert.

Sophie Hickey and Devine in defence now had the measure over Guernsey and turnovers became regular allowing Goddard to bring the ball up the court – the score was 26-26 at the end of the third quarter.

Jersey stepped up in the final quarter and only allowed Guernsey six shots on goal compared to their 15 which resulted in a 41-32 win with Lauren Devine picking up a well deserved Player of the Match nomination.

‘We took time to gel as the girls haven’t had the opportunity to play together as Guernsey called for an U19, rather than U18, match,’ said Andrews.

‘That meant bringing girls back from university to fulfil the game whereas Guernsey have played regularly together in the English South League.

‘But at the end of the day the name on the trophy will be Jersey which is very satisfying for our girls.’

The over-35s match brought Guernsey their only victory of the weekend as they won 45-20.

Teams – U12s: Kitty Conway (captain), Lauren Mills (vice-captain), Kira Moisan, Lydia Ward, Charlotte Sweeney, Toni Chaytor, Tessa Letherbarrow, Mia Appleby, Audrey Bois, Rebecca Keen.

U14: Stephanie Devine, Shadine Duquemin, Ellie Le Var, Laura Cook (captain), Amelia Jones, Rosie Tonner, Sophie Le Bon, Harriet Kean, Romy Smith, Hannah Jauncey, Lucy Le Lievre, Melissa Luis.

U16: Laura Harris (captain), Nicole Goddard, Amy Dingle, Lisa Luce, Jenna Murphy, Lucy Crossman, Emma Carre, Steph Le Ruez, Cordelia Overland, Natalie Helio, Charlotte Trigg.

U19: Lauren Devine (captain), Sophie Hickey, Lara Crenan, Megan Conroy, Jacy Brown, Lynsey Pitman, Emma Carre, Kathryn Miller, Nicole Goddard, Jenna Murphy.

Over-35s: Tracey Fullerton (captain), Mary Pack, Amanda Luce, Julie Brady, Tammy Fage, Julia Quant, Jenny Kean, Dawn Heard, Marion Bushell, Tricia Barrett, Romy Perchard, Nicky Masters.