Guernsey Press

Hards opts for injection of youth to boost team

TRACIE HARDS has turned to youth as Guernsey bid to regain the inter-insular trophy on Sunday.

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TRACIE HARDS has turned to youth as Guernsey bid to regain the inter-insular trophy on Sunday. The Sarnians coach wants to avenge the 45-39 defeat suffered at Fort Regent a year ago, when she said Guernsey had 'a bad day at the office', and there have been a few changes to achieve that aim.

'After last year, we have to start rebuilding, start looking towards youth. They all have a bit of experience, though,' said Hards.

'It is a good team and if the girls play to their potential then I am confident we can win back the trophy.'

Admittedly, a couple of the changes from last year's team are enforced, both being in attack. Dawn Browning has missed this season due to a long-term knee injury while Jenny Jordan has emigrated to New Zealand.

The arrival of Sonia Grant-Yendell to the island has helped to alleviate the loss of Jordan at goal-attack and Kerrie Hussey's move from goalkeeper to goal-shooter compensates for Browning's absence.

But the big story is in defence.

Naomi Taylor has turned down the chance of playing for Bath against the England national and under-21 squads this weekend to play against Jersey.

The 18-year-old will start at goal-defence with new island captain Lorna Brown playing goalkeeper and Liz Stonebridge being promoted from last season's B team to be the starting wing-defence.

The average age of the side is now under 25 and has been selected to cope with the threat Jersey poses going forward.

'Their strength is probably in their attacking play but we have quite a hot defence and hopefully it will break down Jersey's attack,' said Hards.

'We have a good attack as well, although Jersey have got a lot of experience in their attack and ours has a whole new look to it.'

It will be the first time since 2001 that Guernsey have had home advantage in the inter-insulars after last year was switched to Jersey with the Sarnians having trouble getting an indoor court.

Hards hopes that the atmosphere will be more sporting than was experienced in 2003.

'With all the support behind us, it lifts the girls,' she said.

'It was very hostile last year. Kerrie's timing was a little bit off and in one of the 50-50 balls she went for, the Jersey girl came off worse although it looked worse than it was.

'The crowd started booing from that point and I cannot stand that. Hopefully this year we will have a lot of noise and it will all be encouragement.'

A home crowd could be just the edge Guernsey needs for victory.

As the coach emphasised, inter-insulars are usually entertaining and not won by big margins.

'It is going to be pretty close all the way through and it will come down to which ever team holds it together,' Hards said.

'Over the past couple of games there have been just a few goals in it.

'When we last won it two years ago we were level going into the final quarter and made a couple of great interceptions from which we scored and that is all it takes,' she said.

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