Guernsey conquer nerves to brush rivals aside

GUERNSEY'S senior A netball team made it two wins in two years with a trouncing of Jersey in front of a large crowd at Beau Sejour. A scoreline of 44-27 reflected how much Guernsey had better of their island neighbours and it left Guernsey player/coach Sonia Grant-Yendell ecstatic at the final whistle.

'It's an amazing feeling to win, especially as it's my first attempt as island coach, said Grant-Yendell.

'I thought it was going to be tough but look at the score. It was a walkover.'

The first quarter was no such thing though.

After the first 15 minutes of play they only led 10-9, due to losing possession with some erratic passing.

Grant-Yendell blamed this on nerves and at the break told her players to relax, emphasising that the team who was in control of their nerves would win.

The start of the second quarter saw a confident Guernsey side that settled into a pattern of slick passes and quick movement to receive the ball.

Claire Queripel, at centre for the greens, was key as she distributed the ball with pace and accuracy to her teammates.

These passes mainly went to Nena Bourgaize at goal attack and Grant-Yendell at goal shooter, both of which would coolly convert into goals.

Guernsey racked up a six-goal lead at 17-11 and Jersey started to look out of the running.

Jersey goal shooter Laura Beeston had other ideas.

She is a player of real class who whenever given the ball would undoubtedly score.

With Beeston going about her business the teams went into the half-time break with the scores at 20-17 in the some side's favour

During the third quarter Guernsey proceeded to take the game beyond Jersey's reach helped by Guernsey's goalkeeper Kerrie Hussey and captain Lorna Brown at goal defence negating the threat of the dangerous Beeston.

Hussey, especially, should take credit as she used her height to great effect when swatting away lob passes by the reds and when closely marking Beeston. Her physical presence rattled the Jersey dangerwoman and that resulted in missed shots.

Guernsey's superiority continued into the fourth quarter and after eight minutes they produced the play of the match. A wonderful collection of cross-court passes found the waiting Grant-Yendell in the D and she nonchalantly scored.

After taking one too many knocks from Hussey, a battered Beeston was substituted and with this Jersey's hopes faded.

As soon as the final whistle was blown with the scores stood at 44-27, 'We are the Champions' blasted over the PA and the Guernsey team celebrated with the now delirious Guernsey crowd.

'The best team on the day won,' said a deflated Jersey coach Linda Andrews.

'They were very strong in all areas of the court and we couldn't get to grips with their play,' she added.

Nena Bourgaize deservedly was awarded player of the match for her excellent shooting and positional play, which baffled the former England under-19 somewhat.

'I'm surprised because I didn't get all of my shots in. I wouldn't have wanted to select player of the match as everyone played excellently,' she said.