Defeat for Hussey in guest role

A GUEST appearance by Kerrie Hussey could not prevent Thundercats slipping to defeat against Panthers. The former island player is now based in Wales, but on a trip back to Guernsey was allowed to feature for Thundercats, who were playing their first game since influential captain Nena Bourgaize departed on her year of travelling.

Both teams took to the court looking for a win.

Panthers, still seething over their loss last week, did not want to go down again and Thundercats wanted to keep the pressure on Experience, as they are now the closest on points.

Panthers made the more fluent start to the game, bringing the ball out of defence with Amy Wright, Carrie Dodd and Claire Queripel linking well in the middle to feed shooter Laura Callaway.

But Thundercats, thanks to Hayley Brehaut at centre, kept the pressure on the opposition as Hussey scored some good goals.

The second quarter was a battle of the defences with Wright and Abbey Bisson dealing well with the height of Hussey and the speed of Hannah Dunnell.

At the other end, Elka De Carteret and Cassie Le Page were punishing the loose balls from Panthers.

At half-time the score was 17-15 to Panthers.

The third quarter saw more of the same hard-fought play in the centre court, but the Panthers' shooters had started to find their range.

Elaine Donaldson was having a terrific game at WA and was attacking and defending well. A few steals from her allowed Panthers to take the court four goals up going into the last quarter.

They had done that before and let the game slip from their grasp through lack of concentration. This occasion was to be the turning point, though, as they kept the pressure up on Thundercats.

Dodd came of age after finally taking on board that she has the talent to keep up the pressure and she played a vital part in her team's 36-30 win in a good team display all round.

'Thundercats should be well pleased with their performance.

'They were very nervous about going into this game without Nena, but they will re-group and win a few more games before the season is out,' said Gill Queripel.

The second game saw Experience take on Roos and from the off the former were scoring at every opportunity through Bridget Yabsley and Jane Fears.

At the other end, Denise Bourgaize and Julie Wright were giving Roos' shooters a torrid time.

That was to be the story for most of the game.

Experience were just too good, with the centre court of Nikki Pettitt, Tanya Gibson and Yvonne Le Gallic playing a tight, controlled game and even when they rotated their squad, bringing on Michelle Phillips, Nikki Watson and Jan Fazakerley, they did not lose shape and were well worthy of their win.

'Who is going to stop this squad? One more win under their belt will secure them the league,' Queripel said.

'With the Super League taking a four-week break in order for the island teams to get some serious training in for inter-insular, the other Super League teams have time to regroup and stop the march of this gutsy side.'