JERSEY will play host to inter-insular hockey tussles for the first time in almost two years this weekend.
The Island’s under-16 boys and girls squads will both clash sticks with their Guernsey counterparts at Les Quennevais, kicking off a busy month at representative level.
The U14s are due to meet in Guernsey for inter-island honours on 12 March, before three senior squads apiece play in Jersey on 19 March.
Jersey’s U16s claimed two wins when they travelled to the sister isle in November 2021 and there is confidence of a repeat.
‘From my point of view, we dominated Guernsey in November but still only ran away as 5-2 winners,’ said U16 girls coach Neil Merritt.
‘A win is a win but we have been working on game management recently and the players will appreciate that. If we dominate we want to make the most of it and get a really good win, as opposed to letting Guernsey back in.
‘We have a good squad and most of the girls have been playing for Jersey at age-group level since Year 5 or 6. They’re a really good bunch.’
Boys coach Adrian Heelis added: ‘This season the U16s squad is as strong as it has ever been, possibly the best. We have always been graced with a few players who represent Jersey within the England Hockey Player Pathway but I think this year’s cohort has greater strength in depth throughout the age group.
‘Choosing a training squad was difficult, which has made selection of the final 16 even harder. We played Guernsey in November, winning 4-1, however we did go 1-0 down and their goalkeeper was man of the match, so it could easily have been a different outcome. Our boys should not be complacent but I am confident in the ability of our team and as long as they play to their potential and convert their chances we should win again.’
The girls’ fixture is due to begin at 9.30am, followed by the boys at 11. A mixed-team friendly will conclude proceedings, at 2pm.
Jersey U16 girls: Lexie Swain, Analise Merritt, Ava Le Cornu, Chloe Cutting, Christie Raphael-Hall, Daisy Carpenter, Emily Camacho, Grace Wetherall, Jasmine Ngima, Kiera Machin, Lottie James, Lucy Brandie, Olivia Labesse, Phoebe Gorman.
Jersey U16 boys: Archie Scate, Ben Heelis, Billy Martin-Davis, Conor O’Keeffe, Eddie Rothwell, Edo van Eijden, Jack Stevens, Joe Gower, Louis Kelly, Matt Webb, Merrion Carter, Patrick Filleul, Sam Watling, Samuel Reynolds, Theo Pirouet, Will Hodgson.
