Netball Inter-Insular: Guernsey 40, Jersey 45

But while the visiting reds were celebrating a five-goal victory, Guernsey will have been wondering what might have been in their own post-match huddle.

Because when they reduced the visitors' lead to just one goal – at 39-40 – midway through the final quarter, a first Sarnian success since 2005 looked on the cards.

At that point they had Jersey rattled to such an extent that if they had slotted home that crucial 80th goal and levelled it, you feel certain they would have gone on to win it.

Two frantic minutes of numerous turned over balls amid tension and nerves on both sides later, though, Jersey made it 41-39 and that was the killer blow.

A late flurry of goals ensured the final margin finished as it had been for much of the afternoon – five – but Guernsey joint-coach James Robert knew how crucial those 120 seconds had been as he reflected on defeat.

'That was our moment, no doubt about that, but it is moments like that that our players haven't really been in too many times before and certainly very rarely this season,' he said.

'Jersey have that bit more experience of those kind of situations and, fair play to them, they handled it well when they needed to and their experienced players guided them home.

'But that doesn't take away from the fact that we are so so proud of the players today – every single one of them was absolutely exceptional throughout.'

• More in Monday’s Guernsey Press.