JERSEY basketball teams lost three of the inter-insular matches at Fort Regent on Saturday, but staged a gripping victory in the under-17s match.

In the first match of the day the Jersey U17s looked to be heading towards defeat with a 14-goal shortfall. However, they dug deep and galvanised an inspiring performance to claw back the deficit.

In the final seconds a cool-headed John Lane converted two free throws, gifting his side two points to secure a 45-44 victory.

‘It was a brilliant game and I’m really pleased for the lads to win as they’ve worked so hard for this all season,’ said coach Stuart Gilmour.

In the senior men’s match, Jersey started strongly, but had to conceded defeat in the end by 51-40.

And although the Jersey women’s team may not have played to their best they gave a gutsy performance to minimise their loss to only 27 goals which is a major improvement on the previous years’ 71-goal deficit.

Guernsey also proved too strong for a young Jersey U21 side, winning by 90-52.