Narrow defeats all round at 'FB'

THE annual netball 'Uptons' produced a clean sweep for Jersey. Guernsey's three divisional champions all crashed at the FB Fields, but in each case the showdowns were close.

In the top game, Convent A scraped home 44-43 against Nerine Trust A, scoring the winning goal just moments before the final whistle.

Convent were six ahead as the teams went into the last quarter, 36-30.

But Convent's confidence, bolstered by snatching the title from St Clement A, meant they produced the winner in the dying seconds.

It had been a real nail-biter, but Nerine were always playing catch-up.

'It was a classic,' said Convent coach Linda Andrews.

'We excelled ourselves - Nerine have island players in their team, but we did it,' said Andrews.

In the last quarter the visitors made a lot of changes to their line-up which gave the Jersey girls little time to adapt, but they hung on grimly and Laura Beeston scored the last goal to ensure the trophy.

Nerine's goal defence, Lorna Brown, said: 'We were a bit slow to start with and it took time to get used to playing outside. Most of our top games are played inside, and we had to get used to the sun and the heat. It was very hot out there.

'Fair play to Convent, though, they were ahead all the way. They played well and it was a nice game. You win some and you lose some.'

One player to stand out for Nerine was 16-year-old Zola Bourgaize.

She was brilliant in the third quarter when she contained the much-acclaimed Convent wing defence.

Her efforts were all the more remarkable given that she had been suffering from a virus over the last month and this was just her second game in four weeks.

In the Division Two game ,Quackers A beat P & J Conservatories 27-24 while St Ouen beat JT Electrics 38-32 the other clash.

JT Electrics coach Joe Abbots was proud of his team.

'Once JT had settled down they played some fantastic netball from defence through to attack.

'All the girls gave 115% and you cannot ask for more.'

Joy Knight, captain and goal shooter of P & J Conservatories, reckoned her team had not played better all season, despite the result.

'Everyone played really well and this game will prepare us for Division One next season.'