The two islands’ leading junior clubs faced off across a hastily-arranged Channel Islands Challenge consisting of four age-group matches at Les Ormes, which partly replaced the cancelled inter-insular this year but may have a future in its own right.
From an inter-island netballing perspective it proved a big attraction in encouraging more than 80 Sarnians to travel to Jersey, and while Rathbones lost out in the U12 A and B matches, plus the U14s, the U16s showed great determination to prevail 39-33.
They not only prevented the ‘redwash’ but also got the proper win that evaded them during their regional campaign in South U16 Division 2a.
‘We are unbelievably proud,’ coach Heidi Rosamund said.
‘I can’t put into words how proud I am of this bunch of girls.
‘They’ve had a rough season at regional league, but it all came together in their last match, which was lovely for them.’
The Rathbones U16s were relentlessly determined and took the initiative in the opening exchanges, turning over and converting from Jersey’s first centre pass.
They broke 5-1 ahead before the Jets got into their game, after which the gap stayed relatively constant.
Jets closed to within one before the Sarnians struck a four-goal scoring run to make it 19-14 at half-time.
Another big scoring run ensured that Rathbones hit the final quarter seven goals clear, which they extended to 11.
The Jets struck back by converting two of Rathbones’ centre passes in short succession, helping close the gap to six, but the visitors kept their grip on the game.
WD Iren Heaume earned the player- of-the-match trophy, while fellow mid-courter Orla Montgomery’s critical turnovers and Belle Otty’s impeccable shooting also gained plaudits from Rosamund.
‘It’s a disappointment for these girls that it’s not an inter-insular,’ the coach added.
‘Because Jersey did play to my knowledge their full team, their full U16 Jets side, it’s a bittersweet win.
‘We’re feeling the fact it’s not an inter-insular, but it’s a win we’re going to take.’
In the U14s, Rathbones also made the stronger start and went 4-1 up in the early stages.
However, the Jets struck a series of scoring runs to win quarter one 14-9, extending their lead to 26-18 at half-time.
Continued scoring runs in the second half – the biggest being seven and nine goals – allowed the hosts to pull clear and complete a relatively convincing 59-32 victory.
In the U12 A match, Jersey shut out their visitors in the first quarter and hit half-time with an overwhelming 20-1 lead, which they converted to a 37-8 triumph.
The U12 B side’s 25-13 loss to the Jets U11s would have been significantly closer if not for a few notable scoring runs from the opposition.
Jersey fired in six in succession during the opening quarter, which helped them lead 13-7 at half-time, and then repeated that in the third quarter to establish their winning margin.
Sophia Bailey, Maddie Crouse and Darcie Isabelle took home the POM honours across those matches.
Rathbones head coach Gill Queripel highlighted the challenges faced in those age groups, with the U12s being new to this level of competition and Jersey’s U14s getting regular exposure to senior league play, whereas Guernsey’s do not.
Queripel called it a ‘great day’ overall and highlighted the numbers of travelling spectators.
‘We had mums, dads, grandparents, team players and players that did not get into the squad all coming to support,’ she said.
Even if the inter-insular does bounce back next year, as planned, then Queripel hopes they can continue playing the Jets juniors annually.
‘It’s different competition to the domestic league, coming up against people that you don’t know.
‘With that boat trip going to and from Jersey now, they’ve given us a fantastic deal. It’s not going to cost a fortune to get them across. Islands Unlimited, take a pat on the back.’
