Panthers get the runaround from RWB

JERSEY'S RWB made it three Channel Islands crowns in a row when they beat Guernsey Panthers 1-0 to retain their women's title. The final was played at a remarkable speed, considering both sides had not only already played four 40-minute matches, but had opted to go straight into the deciding game with only a few minutes' rest.

Panthers were on the defensive from the start as RWB pressed hard with Nina Woods making several attempts on goal which the Guernsey girls kept out of the net through a mixture of good timing and pure luck.

There was more of the same after the break, Panthers threatening RWB's goal only once.

Truth was, the Jersey girls were faster to react to loose balls and they harried Panthers determinedly, rarely allowing them to get as far as the centre line, never mind cross it.

RWB produced more shots on goal, with the inimitable Chrissie Hefford, Woods again and captain Becky Darts all aiming and firing.

But the winner, when it did come, was a scrambled push by Claire Le Maistre after a goalmouth melee following another penalty corner.

In the remaining minutes, Panthers fought hard, but RWB didn't ease up, and the title was theirs again.

A victorious Darts was, naturally, delighted: 'We needed all 15 girls in our squad in the matches over the whole day, but they played brilliantly: it was a real squad performance. A lot of the games were fairly close and it's good to be able to play different opponents.'

Panthers' captain Justine Whalley said: 'We had some good wins along the way; we beat Puffins and the Jersey Ladies, but lost both matches against RWB, which were rather one-sided, though we worked hard and defended very well.

'We should have done a bit less of that and more attacking'

But she said that all the Guernsey players enjoyed playing their Jersey counterparts.

'The championships will be on home soil next year so I hope we can take the title back off RWB.'

RWB did not lose on their way to the final, beating Panthers 1-0 in the round-robin stages and Quackers, the B section runners-up, 2-1 in the semi-final.

Panthers were runners-up in section A with two wins from three, while Cubs topped section B and were beaten 2-1 by Panthers in the other semi.

Ann Banahan, who organised the competition, said she was especially pleased with her success in organising not just good weather, but also a Jersey-Guernsey final.

'Seriously though, this is a great competition and I really think that everyone enjoys it. There is enormous competitiveness on the pitch, which is as it should be, but at the end of it we are all friends, and this is an excellent arena for the selectors who are 'spotting' players for the CI team.'