Jets have lift-off!

Jets have lift-off!

Watched by an appreciative and sizeable crowd at Fort Regent, Jets overturned a one-point half-time deficit to defeat Billericay 49-33 in Premier League 3.

Teenager Lily Jones was lethal under the posts for Jets, the 16-year-old a deserving winner of the player-of-the-match award after scoring 42 goals from her 47 attempts for an impressive 89 per cent return.

But it was far from a one-player show, it was a terrific team performance and extremely hard work as there was little between the teams in the opening two quarters.

Jets got off to a promising start by opening a two-goal advantage, but despite good work in their defensive circle by Josie Le Masurier and Molly Carré, they were unable to take full advantage.

The hosts slipped behind at 7-5 and gaining some hard-fought rebounds, Jets finished the opening period at ten-all.

Captain Jacy Brown, Nicole Goddard and Rosie Tonner worked tirelessly in the middle third and after trailing 13-11 early in the second quarter, some fine turnovers gained them good possession but the rim of the basket prevented them from going ahead.

There was untidy play from both teams as half time approached and Billericay crossed after at half time leading 19-18.

Emma Carré and Libby Rothwell were replacements at half time and their arrivals seemed to inspire the hosts and lift the team’s playing intensity.

Strong defensive play by visiting captain Lyndsey Barrett helped keep her side in contention, but with four minutes of the third period remaining Jets had an excellent spell to move 27-23 ahead.

Le Masurier and Molly Carré continued to collect rebounds at their end of the court and some impressive passing was capitalised upon at the other end by Jones and Emma Carré.

Jets went into the final 15 minutes with a seven-goal lead and were buzzing and full of confidence, with balls won by Brown, Rothwell and Tonner applauded by the spectators.

Collectively the trio fed the ball into the attacking circle and six unanswered scores put Jets firmly in control and they ran out deserved victor by 16 goals.

‘That was a real great display of netball,’ said Jets captain Jacy Brown.

‘I kept telling the girls that today was going to be the turning point for us. I had faith in them and although I never thought it was going to be easy, we did a great job.

‘Billericay made it really hard for us, especially in the first half when it was almost goal for goal.

‘We showed great determination, we got stuck in and I think the changes [at half-time] really helped us.’

Full report in Monday’s JEP.

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