In fact, all four Jersey travelling teams were without regular first team players, and it was not only the eventual winners, but also Quackers and Crusaders who were without their usual ‘keepers, which led to some major adjustments in team tactics.The final was between RWB and the highly-rated Guernsey Panthers – and for the first time RWB produced the sort of hockey that had eluded them for most of the day and they overcame Panthers to win 1-0 after a goal from Rhiannon Evans.Panthers, however, pushed to the end, forcing several penalty corner chances right up to the final whistle.Winning captain Raydene Stracy was delighted with the RWB performance and said it was their excellent team spirit that saw them through and meant they kept the trophy, despite their lacklustre hockey earlier in the day.At the start of the competition, playing in Pool 2, RWB were up against Jersey’s Crusaders and Guernsey Hockey Club’s Panthers and Vixens – and they certainly didn’t look like the eventual winners.In contrast, rivals Jersey Ladies HC, who were competing in Pool 1 against Jersey’s E&Y Quackers and GHC’s Amazons and Cubs, started well, beating Quackers 2-1 with their goals coming from Felicity Mason and Lisa Phillips.
Phillips was on fine form throughout the day and her presence at short corners was to be one of the major factors in the Ladies progress into the semi-finals.
They then drew 2-2 with Amazons, scorers Charlie Raymond and Phillips.
Quackers played Guernsey’s Cubs in the next game and had to settle for a disappointing 1-1 draw, with their goal scored by Beckie Herbert.
Grace McLachlan was solid in the Quackers’ defence and Alex Sabey made some strong runs from the right defensive position.When JLHC met the Cubs later in the group a draw was required for both teams to reach the semis – and they duly obliged to produce a goal each, Phillips scoring again for Ladies.Next up were Quackers and Guernsey’s Amazons.
Quackers scored first through Shelagh Herbert, Amazons equalised from a short corner but the Jersey side came straight back with two more goals, from Beckie Herbert and Claire Foster to win 3-1.In Pool 2 RWB and Crusaders were pitted against each other in their first match of the day.
Crusaders made the first breakthrough with a goal from Julie Robinson but RWB equalised with a penalty corner goal from Audrey Buttle.
They went 2-1 up in the second half with a Clare Le Maistre goal and considered themselves lucky to win.Crusaders then met Vixens and were delighted after an early goal from Laura Kerr put them ahead – and won them the match.RWB then found themselves up against Panthers, a strong team with many Guernsey 1st XI players.
Panthers scored first through Chantelle De La Mare but it was that girl Buttle again who put RWB back in contention but were beaten 2-1 in the end.It was Crusaders’ turn to meet Panthers in the next game.
The Guernsey girls started strongly and maintained the pressure on the Crusaders defence, eventually winning 1-0.In the final Pool 2 game, against Guernsey’s Vixens, RWB managed to regain their composure and put together an altogether better performance to win 1-0.In the semis RWB met Jersey Ladies while Panthers and Cubs went head-to-head.Within one minute of the start RWB went ahead through Le Maistre, then ahead further as Buttle scored again.
The Ladies scored through Phillips from a short corner goal but RWB made sure of their place in the final with another Le Maistre goal.The Guernsey semi-final was won 3-1 by Panthers.
