Jersey games ‘special case’

Guernsey Netball Association president Gill Queripel confirmed their intention to head over to Jersey in September, the start of the following season, if the coronavirus situation permits.

The highly unpredictable situation has caused a spate of postponements, including that of the ‘Uptons’, which were due to take place this month but are now unlikely to happen at all in Queripel’s view.

But Queripel is prepared to make a special case for the inter-insulars.

‘Jersey hope to put the inter-insulars on in September, but we will play that by ear,’ she said.

Players will stay in their current age groups if action goes ahead.

Queripel feels that the younger players, particularly the U11s and U12s, will be especially grateful if the ‘inters’ go ahead.

‘They have been training since last June and it would not be good for them not to play,’ added Queripel.

‘They have worked so hard and we wanted to give them something to aim for.

‘I can’t see them playing [the “Uptons”]... if we play in say October, we are well into the new season.’

The GNA were due to discuss such matters more formally in a meeting around Easter but, unsurprisingly, that was also cancelled.

With several Winter League fixtures still outstanding, Queripel expects that only title-deciding matches will go ahead. Resolution IT Green and Sylvans One had already sealed their titles in the top two divisions.

That leaves just two games – the Division Two Cup and Plate deciders – likely to be played once action resumes.

All remaining Panthers fixtures are off following guidance from the South League.

This leaves the senior team provisionally fifth in Division Three and the U16s third in age-group Division Two, pending official confirmation. Other age groups are currently unable to play-off for league places.