Zebras are earning their stripes in the top flight
THE promoted Zebras gave Titans a run for their money early on before ultimately falling 57-29 to a side of much greater stature in the ‘Prem’ standings.
Zebras One have faced a testing start to life in the Winter League top flight, but they showed some glimmers of good form in Grammar School’s late slot on Tuesday night.
Titans led by a modest three goals at the first break, 13-10, and the pre-match favourites knew they had to begin pressing ahead upon resumption.
This they accomplished, shining in both defence and attack to make it 29-14 at half-time.
Titans had by then earned the room to ‘try out some new things’, in captain Donna Brehaut’s words, and a strong quarter put them 45-20 up.
Brehaut paid tribute to several key performers – including young defender Holly Langlois as she enjoyed some first-team court time, but most significantly a strong attack headed by Kerri Brown.
Back-from-pregnancy Brown has been a welcome presence and her goal-shooting stint earned her player-of-the-match honours alongside wing-attack Holly Ingrouille.
‘We had a poor start but we came back stronger in the second quarter,’ said Brehaut.
‘It’s really good to have Kerri back, so we could focus on our attack and our speed in attack, which I think is our strong point.
‘Zebras had a very strong start and I think they will come into their own in the league.’
Centre Jo Jehan took ‘POM’ for a Zebras side featuring solid representation throughout the court.
Since their dominant Division One days, Zebras have made several changes and given Kea Jonas and Viv Kemgne first-team roles as they fight to find their feet in the Premier division.
Captain Natalie Carre, who has moved from goalkeeper to goalshooter to supplement the experienced Em Mills in the shooting circle, felt Tuesday was another step in the right direction.
‘The team are learning new combinations and are performing well as a team, under the pressure of the Prem Division,’ said Carre.
‘I’m really proud of how the girls are performing and see our time in the Premier division as a positive experience. We may not have won a match, but our best is always put on court and I couldn’t ask any more from them.’
There were no major shocks in Tuesday night’s netball, but in the equivalent match slot at Les Beaucamps, form side Resolution IT Green gave the men their closest challenge of the developing season.
Last season’s league runners-up performed strongly and eventually finished not far short of the upset, losing 50-44 after cutting the deficit in the final quarter.
Rezzers goalshooter and returning island representative Clare Henry took ‘POM’ recognition alongside opposition centre man Karl Abbott.
‘A’ beat ‘B’ on both occasions in the two earlier matches.
Blaze A delivered a commanding 80-33 win against their own second string, putting in a slower start before turning up the heat with an excellent second quarter in which they went 26 goals for three.
Meanwhile, Thunder A claimed their second victory in a row after beating Rezzers Black 49-33.
