Panthers left reeling by RWB's eight-goal mauling

PANTHERS were on the receiving end of a drubbing in the 'Upton'. The Guernsey champions were unbeaten in their league campaign and the match against Jersey champions RWB on their pitch stood at one-all after 21 minutes.

But at the full time, the score was 8-1 in favour of their opponents.

'I'm obviously disappointed,' said the Panthers captain, Justine Whalley. 'I thought it would be closer. We gave them some silly goals.

'I think the second half was more even, but they had more shots on target. We've not lost in Guernsey this season but we've lost today.

'But it's on our home ground next season. We'll look forward to playing them at home.'

RWB had most of the early possession and took the lead thanks to a Nina Woods strike from eight yards out. Helen Wills levelled things with a short corner strike shortly afterwards.

Parity was shortlived as RWB midfielder Becky Darts, who also represents her island at football, guided in a Woods strike from a short corner.

The Caesareans started to build on their sustained pressure and striker Sally MacDowall got onto the end of a great through ball from Chrissie Hefford.

Three minutes later, they scored again, this time an easy tap-in from a short corner for Sarah Heelis.

Whalley's team struggled to clear the ball from defence and only Kath Guille, in the centre of midfield, shone. They hardly troubled the Jersey goal for the rest of the game.

Now 4-1 down at half-time, the Sarnians had their backs against the wall but still hoped to turn things round in the second half.

But that was not to happen.

RWB scored almost immediately from the restart, Hefford benefiting from a neat through ball from Audrey Buttle to slot home.

It was one-way traffic now as MacDowell got two further goals in quick succession to register her hat-trick.

The Jersey team's eighth and final goal was the pick of the bunch as Clare Le Maistre struck a sweet

under-cut shot that sailed past goalkeeper Collette Brown and into the top of the net.

This was a game that Brown and the rest of her team would rather soon forget.