Guernsey sides expect tough events

GUERNSEY'S women's hockey teams are confident of success on home soil in this year's Channel Island Club Championship. But they know that the competition - especially in the form of Jersey's division one champions Quackers - will be red hot.

'It's always tough when you're competing against Jersey sides and two of the most dangerous teams will be RWB and Quackers. Quackers in particular are very strong,' said Guernsey Panthers' Chantelle de la Mare.

'It is usually close between us and Cubs and then we have to see who's the strongest from Jersey. It's impossible to call how it's going to go.

'It is such a long day that fitness becomes very important. The teams that get to the final will be playing five 40-minute games of hockey - that is about three-and-a-half hours. Teams have to be able to make the most of their squad and roll their subs.'

Panthers have only one absentee from their normal squad - forward Helen Wills is off the island.

Cubs captain Elyse Dandeker was a doubt for the weekend but the ankle injury that she picked up while on a training run has cleared up.

'We've got a pretty good chance of getting into the semi-finals. We definitely have to beat Amazons but they have been quite strong this season,' said Dandeker.

'If we play like we have been, then we have got a chance but it all depends on the day. Quackers will definitely be the team to beat.'

The Jersey champions and current league leaders will travel to the island in confident mood and with England under-17 captain Becky Herbert amongst their ranks.

Cubs, Quackers and Jersey Ladies are joined in pool one by Amazons.

'We hope to give Quackers a decent game. We feel we can do some damage in the game against Jersey Ladies. That would mean we would stand a pretty good chance of getting to the semi-finals - it all depends on the game against Cubs,' said Amazons captain Liz de Garis.

But Amazons are hampered by the loss of key centres Rachel Sharp and Cath Bush.

'They are an integral part of the team. I would be more confident if we had them but we have a good team and have already beaten Panthers this season. We are in good form.'

Vixens have a squad of 15, the current crop of promising youngsters bolstered by the experienced former-Veterans.

Guernsey's two representatives in the men's competition in Jersey are under no illusions as to their challenge.

'We're not at full strength,' said Tigers' Andy Graham.

'It's a bit of mix and match. There's no Andy Biggins, Andy Bell, Dave Enevoldsen or Iain Stokes. And I'm not sure about Simon Beck.

Colombians are also under-strength.

'It will be tough. We will be taking a squad containing only eight first-teamers, but we will be playing only Colombians-registered players,' said Ollie Goddard.

'We think it's the right thing to do: it's playing to the championship rules and more importantly we want to encourage second-team players. You only get better by playing with better players.'

The men's competition concludes on Sunday.