Warren's injection of pace lifts the Guernsey B team

GUERNSEY'S Senior B side survived a nailbiting finish to mark the island's only success on the opening day of the inter-insular weekend. Earlier, the home under-18s failed to live up to their status as pre- tournament favourites, losing 24-34.

The victory for the senior side, by just one goal having built up a 10-goal advantage, was met with relief by coach Sonia Grant-Yendell.

'It was a very tight finish,' she said.

'The first quarter was all about finding our feet, the seven on court hadn't had much chance to play or practice together, it was their first outing.'

A change at centre for the second quarter, with Becky Warren coming on, injected more pace.

With goal shooter Krystle Harford seemingly unable to miss, the Sarnians began to pull away from Jersey.

'When the shooters start to get good shots, the rest of the squad relaxes and I think we had Jersey rattled,' said the home coach.

Trailing 17-22 at half-time, the visitors made changes, but Guernsey remained untroubled taking a 31-22 lead into the last quarter of the match.

Fatigue led to some more changes for Guernsey and what the coach described as a 'lapse in concentration' nearly handed the game to Jersey.

'Their goal attack that came on made a big difference to the game and put our defence under a lot more pressure, I think that's where they hit us hard, but it was not enough to make a difference,' said Grant-Yendell.

'But we had done enough damage early on to mean we had a goal to spare, it's not a way I'd like it to finish, but a win's a win.

'I think what made the difference was the fact our shooters were hitting the target every time and our fitness levels were a bit better than theirs.'

She said the defence were 'awesome' as well.

'They were reading all the passes the shooters were trying to play, the amount of turnovers we had on court did a lot of damage.'

A 'hungrier' Jersey side took the under 18s.

'You've got to give credit where it's due, Jersey unfortunately did deserve to win' said coach Denise Bourgaize.

'No-one played to their full potential and I think nerves got the better of them.'

She also played in the Senior B game.

'That was a brilliant match to be involved in, a bit hard on Jersey, but it was good to be part of it. The game's are better when they are closer, for us and the spectators.'

The Guernsey under-12s lost 10-25 and the under-13s 19 -31.

A strong second half performance by the under-13s, in which Kyra Butcher and Sam Gillespie were singled out for praise, was not enough.

There was more disappointment for the Guernsey juniors yesterday. The under-14s were walloped 60-24 and the under-15s beaten 40-32.

The veterans' clash also went Jersey's way but by only two goals, 35-33.