Guernsey run out of time after fightback

GUERNSEY suffered an unlucky two-goal defeat at the hands of Jersey yesterday in the A game of the inter-insulars. The senior team, with an average age of 20, stepped onto the court of Beau Sejour with hopes of breaking their opponents' unbeaten record this season, but it wasn't to be.

The first quarter saw Jersey take the lead in the first two minutes.

There was an impressive performance by their goal attack, who continuously found herself space.

This opened the score to 13-7.

'We took too long to settle,' said Guernsey coach Gill Queripel.

'But we made some tactical changes for the second quarter.'

Once the home team had settled in that period, the gap began to close, with strong passing between centre Claire Queripel and wing attack Lyndsey Bougourd.

But Jersey hassled well, especially in the centre, finishing the half with a 24-18 lead.

Guernsey were the stronger team in the final two quarters and fought back hard and at times looked as though they were going to win.

But time wasn't on their side and the final whistle blew with Jersey still ahead.

And although the green-and-whites were defeated, Queripel said their performance had not not let them down.

'It was a tremendous game and a great advert for netball,' she said.

'We put in a really good team performance and the girls did exactly what they were told.

'It was a fast, skilful game and no prisoners were taken on either side and it kept the spectators on the edge of their seats.

'I'm really proud,' she added.

Captain Claire Queripel said although the game had been tiring, the team had worked very hard.

'Everyone gave 110% today,' she said.

'We ran out of time. A few more minutes and we would have hoped to have come back.

'Jersey played really well and there was a good spirit. Both teams really wanted the win and we fought well.'

Jersey coach Ally Meredith said he was delighted for his team to win on Guernsey ground - something they had not achieved for a few years.

'Our game went perfectly to plan,' he said.

'We knew Guernsey would come out hard and we treated the game like an FA Cup final and we knew they would do the same.

'We've got an unbeaten record in the UK, so we just carried our form over from that.

'It's an awesome achievement for us,' he added.

And Jersey's captain Jenna Meredith said she was proud of the team as things had been a little unsettled for them.

'It's been a bit hard for us of late as we have changed coaches, ' she said.

'We worked hard to get the win and worked as a team.

'Guernsey tried to go out fast but we held our cool and played our own game.'