Under-15s turn on the style

THE honours were shared when Guernsey met Jersey in the recent under-15 and 17 hockey inter-insulars. The younger Sarnian team took a well-deserved victory in front of a large home crowd at Foote's Lane, while the older group tasted defeat in Jersey.

The under-17s were effectively the squad that made it to the national finals of last year's U15 Cup.

Their coach, Nick Mahy, was particularly impressed with the commitment and aptitude of his players.

'The Guernsey lads put together a tremendous display of attacking hockey that matched the opposition for the vast majority of the game,' he said.

'We just lost concentration for a 10-minute spell and that cost us.'

The Guernsey players showed great individual skill and attacking potency but were guilty of not being able to convert their chances against a determined and well-organised Jersey defence.

Hywel Robinson was outstanding on the right and linked well with Daniel Wray, the two creating many attacks down Guernsey's right flank.

If the final passes had been better, the result surely would have been different. Jersey won 3-1, with Robinson getting the visitors' solitary goal.

Meanwhile, back on home turf, the U15s gave Jersey a lesson in goal-scoring. Taking chance after chance, they racked up six with Guy Craze grabbing himself a hat-trick.

Tim Ravenscroft, Alex English and Will Dovey bagged the other goals.

In reply, Jersey scored a couple of late consolation goals to make the final score a more respectable 6-3.

Ian Le Page, PWC Guernsey U15 coach and new hockey development manager, reflected on his first match in charge.

'This group of players have real potential,' he said.

'They are a great advert for the fast, attacking style of hockey we are coaching. While this was a tremendous result, the real test will come when they visit the mainland to take on the best the UK has to offer.

'Last season's squad raised the bar and we have every intention of trying to emulate last year's unprecedented success.'