Panthers drop down to fourth
DISAPPOINTMENT loomed over the Saffery Panthers after they failed to break through Woodley and returned from Reading with a 42-35 loss.
The Guernsey girls have taken a few key lessons from last Sunday’s blunder, which dropped them to fourth in South Division Three and made their opponents even more likely candidates for the second promotion spot.
Panthers started excellently to lead the first quarter 14-4 as Woodley’s shooters struggled to convert and despite their opponents shifting their tall goalkeeper into GS and finding their feet, they entered half-time 24-16.
It was from there that things went awry for Guernsey.
They resumed with a slightly changed line-up after benching WA Charlotte Hill and shifting back GA Steph Batiste, with Abbie Greening replacing Batiste while Zola Saunders took up GK to heighten the defensive circle in a bid to counteract Woodley’s GS.
Panthers just about kept Woodley at bay in the third quarter, 31-26, after turning over numerous balls out front but falling guilty of weak drives as the opposing attackers regained possession on numerous occasions.
The Sarnians reversed their earlier attacking changes and went goal-for-goal early into the final quarter, but the opposition started to capitalise upon their errors to lead by three.
GS Jemma Green called time with five minutes left due to injury, Donna Brehaut taking her place, while Lorna Hall returned to replace a cautioned Saunders. Four more unanswered goals gave Woodley the win.
Panthers elected Woodley’s WD for opposition player of the match as Guernsey centre Tiff Gervaise-Brazier took equivalent honours.
‘A hugely disappointing second half from us,’ said Panthers captain Nena Copperwaite afterwards.
‘We were in a position where we just needed to keep the ball safe, take our own centre passes into goal and convert them – a big lesson we need to learn from going into our final games.
‘Although a big dent to our morale, we know we are better than what we put out there today and have already looked at what we need to be doing in training this week to make sure we bounce back on Sunday.’
Panthers have the comfort of home as they face CD Phoenix Two this weekend.
The captain feels they need to balance the mix of tough club matches and weekly regional action, adding: ‘Players are starting to get tired, so we’ll need to start looking at resting up and looking after ourselves, being selective with what’s a priority during the week to make sure we head into the end of the season firing on all cylinders still.’
