Champions Rezzers rise to the summit after close win

The former Titans failed to accomplish that lofty task, but Rezzers Green had to fight until full-time before triumphing 55-47 and reclaiming top spot.

Rezzers now lead Blaze A by two points with another key threat cleared, whereas Blaze face the same, seemingly quite daunting, T&T obstacle next week.

The Greens were just one of three ‘Prem’ teams celebrating hard-fought victories on Tuesday night.

Their second string, Rezzers Black, overcame T&T Blue 45-39 as part of a Les Beaucamps double-header, while over at Grammar School, Liberte NGT A beat old Division One rivals Blaze B 51-37.

But Rezzers Green underlined their class as reigning champions to trump what was, according to opposition captain Donna Brehaut, T&T Purple’s best performance yet.

They also had to work around a Gemma Batiste injury and with Cassie Le Page partnering Abby McCracken in a new defensive duo, plus Blacks step-ups Keeleigh Le Tissier and Anna Trump joining the attack, a rather different line-up resulted.

Nothing split the two sides as they hit the quarter tied at 9-9.

The young Amy Le Tocq and Lydia McClean were bringing the ball through nicely at T&T’s ‘wing’ positions, which experienced GS Brehaut and GA Steph Batiste capitalised on.

Rezzers’ defensive partnership took time to settle and counteract T&T’s short-and-sharp passing game, though they eventually gained some momentum in making it 24-22 at half-time.

Rezzers restored their top shooting combination – Verona Tomlin in at GA to complement Clare Henry – amid several other changes and they worked tirelessly against a tough defence, converting effectively and making use of rebounds.

Becky Chamberlain made her mark in centre-court through the second half, paving her way for player-of-the-match nomination with some vital interceptions.

Rezzers carried a 40-34 lead into the final interval, but T&T’s fighting spirit persisted as they brought it back to four goals into the closing stages.

Ultimately, Tiff Gervaise-Brazier’s side used their strength and experience to finish the game with aplomb.

‘We are pleased with the win,’ Gervaise-Brazier said.

‘We had a slow start, which we can be guilty of, I think a combination of not warming up particularly well and a change in the line-up took some time to settle in.

‘T&T didn’t make it easy for us and it was a well-contested game throughout.’

An undeterred Brehaut praised her side’s fast start, which bodes well for their imminent Blaze meeting.

‘We fell a bit short at the end – a bit of tiredness there – but I am really pleased with how we played and it was definitely our best performance,’ she said.

‘It was a real squad effort. Everybody played well and played to their potential.’

• More in Thursday's Guernsey Press.