Guernsey win at pace and with slow approach

GUERNSEY'S latest successful English Counties Netball League trip saw two very contrasting matches. Tracie Hards' team secured victories against both East Devon and Herefordshire in the space of 24 hours and, although the coach was pleased with the results, she said that they were obtained in totally different manners.

East Devon were always more likely to provide the stiffer opposition of the two teams - they drew with Guernsey last year - and so it proved as the Sarnians edged them by a single goal, 45-44.

'It didn't actually go to plan. They played quite well while we took time to settle,' Hards said.

'Although we scored from the first centre, we were never really in front. East Devon would go three or four goals ahead, we would pull it back, but they would go ahead again and the match kept going like that.

'We only went in front in the last minute and then we managed to keep possession to hold on for the win. They probably feel a bit aggrieved, but all credit to my girls, they kept battling.

However, that fighting performance was followed by one of sheer quality as Herefordshire were swept aside 60-31.

The centre court trio of Andi Pettitt, Nena Bourgaize and Claire Queripel were outstanding as the Sarnians dominated proceedings from start to finish.

'That was a fantastic performance. They did what I asked them to do and they played as a unit.

'Andi played very well as did Claire and Nena in the middle of the court. They picked up a lot of loose ball and the passing and movement were really good,' added Hards.

The Guernsey coach believed that the difference in the two displays arose from the varying styles of play of the opposition.

'East Devon were fast and furious and we were just trying to play as fast as them and things got a bit messy. I took Claire off and Emma Despres had half a game because we needed to slow things down.

'The next day against Hereford, who were a slower team, we played more controlled netball - we were much neater.

'They are just a nice bunch of girls to work with and they never give up - it really is a compliment to them that we had two wins,' Hards said.

Guernsey's next scheduled game in the ECL is their one home fixture of the season against the Royal Navy on Saturday 1 March.

However, it remains to be seen if the match can go ahead.

'We are not too sure whether the Navy are coming because of the situation in the world at the moment. They have basically been turning out any side available so far and have been getting hammered really,' Hards said.

'We want to play it because it gives us a good chance for our spectators and any prospective sponsors to come and watch us. From a team point of view, we need the match as preparation because we want to give Avon a run for their money and they are currently unbeaten.'