Scores cruel on island

THE scorelines did not reflect the performances as Guernsey completed their English Counties League campaign with two defeats. South-West Division winners Cornwall finished 61-49 victors against the Sarnians on Saturday before third-placed West Devon beat the the islanders 42-37 a day later, but coach Tracie Hards could only sing her players' praises.

'The girls' performances were brilliant. Every person gave me 120%,' said Hards, who was without Andi Pettitt and Claire Queripel among others.

'A lot of positives came out of the trip, especially considering I had only four of my regular first team available. Ideally it would have been nice to have another centre player, but due to unavailability we couldn't and I cannot praise enough the players we did have.

'Our options were limited and everyone just mingled in and got on with the job in hand. The team spirit was brilliant throughout the weekend,' Hards added.

Cornwall were always going to provide the sterner test of the two games and so it proved, although the final 12-goal margin did an injustice to Guernsey.

'The Cornwall coach said that that was the best her team had played all season and that we had pushed them really hard,' said Hards.

'It was only in the last quarter that we started making silly mistakes, due to a bit of tiredness I think, and their shooters must have missed only four goals all game. They were fantastic and it shows how well we defended that we stuck with them for much of the game.'

The Guernsey coach believes her team paid the price for their first match excursions the following day.

'It was a shame we played our toughest game on Saturday because if we had played West Devon first, I believe we would have won. But by the time we did play them, the girls had put everything into the Cornwall game.'

Guernsey were not helped in that second game when the umpire started to give controversial decisions against the Sarnians once they had got to within one goal of the hosts.

'It is difficult to play against eight people but the girls' discipline was brilliant. They could have easily given away 10 yards for dissent but they just accepted the decisions and got on with it,' said Hards, before summarising the trip.

'Everyone has a bit more experience and it has opened the door of opportunity for other players who may never usually have got the chance to play county netball.'