Under 16 Team Jets travelled away today to face 3rd placed Cirencester. 
 
Jets started strongly taking an early 5 goal to nothing lead catching the opposition on the back foot. However some unforced errors allowed the home side to creep back in with the score quickly shrinking to a 2 goal lead (10 v 8). Captain Sophie Harvey’s incredibly accurate shooting ensured Jets kept ahead only missing 2 goals and these coming in the last 5 minutes and her shooting partner Lily Jones didn’t miss a goal. The through court flow of the first quarter was a joy to watch as C Kirsty Ludlum and WA Madison Fitzgerald-Wilkins linked brilliantly, timing their movements to create space and attacking opportunities. First quarter finished 16 v 10 to Jets.
 
Jets continued to capitalise on missed opportunities early in the second quarter with GA Lily Jones pushing on from her 100% shooting in the first quarter to net 6 from 8. Jones showed her ability to step up in the face of tough defence, using fantastic timing to loose her opponent and help get the ball to goal. Player of the match and GD Molly Carre put in an outstanding defensive performance through the match with countless interceptions and tips against tall shooters. Carre, GK Natacha Searson and WD Kiah Kuppe linked to work effectively as a defensive unit forcing many errors from Cirecencester in the 2nd quarter creating a 8 goal lead at half time. 
 
Changes at half time saw Gabby Scott in at C, Lily Brewster WD and Kiah Kuppe dropping to GK. Kuppe and Carre combined to make things very hard for Cirencester in the shooting circle with multiple tips and interceptions allowing Jets to maintain possession. Brewster and Scott linked well through the court with the former providing great back up for her attacking teammates. Although the Cirencester defence caused missed shots in the 3rd quarter, with the greater defensive pressure coming from Jets the visitors were able to extend their lead to 10. Jets led 39 v 29 with 15 minutes to go.
 
Jets replaced Brody Morris at GS and Ludlum (C) and Searson (GK) returned to the court after a 3rd quarter break. The team started strongly but Cirencester never gave up. With some missed opportunities at goal and turnovers Cirencester brought the game to within 4 goals. However Jets showed how far they have developed this season. They stepped up to take control of the pace of the game ensuring better possession and ultimately more chances at goal. With Morris and Jones linking well in the circle Jets started to settle. With a increase in turnovers GK Natacha Searson had a fantastic last quarter, reading passes from Cirencester well to create turnovers along with GD Molly Carre. Jets took a fantastic win with the final score 50 v 41. 
 
After the game Head Coach Chrissy said “We knew it was going to be a tough physical game with Cirencester lying 3rd and the girls impressed from the start, maintaining consistency throughout. This is going to be key in our final top of the table matches and Interinsulars fixture next month.”

Team Jets played their final 2017/2018 League game at Fort Regent with a game against 3rd placed Leyton. They were determined to put their strongest performance of the Season and this showed with a fantastic opening quarter which finished 11 a piece! Despite the gap in table positions, the home side were not going to just let Leyton take the win and Jets continued to work hard and showed good flow to keep up the pressure of the visitors. The score was 20 v 23 to Leyton at half time.

However Leyton had a strong 3rd quarter and stepped up to take a seven goal lead going into the final 15 minutes (30 v 37). In a thrilling and fast paced final quarter which had the spectators on the edge of their seat, Jets finished strongly closing the gap so that they were drawing in the final minutes. With 5 consecutive goals the crowd was lifted but it was Leyton who took the winning the goal leaving the score 46 v 47.

They may have finished just short of being able to celebrate a triumph, but having bounced back from seven goals down in the final quarter Jets were able to hold their heads high, having pushed promotion-chasing Leyton right to the wire.
‘It’s bittersweet, but that’s the nature of sport,’ said coach Linda Andrews. ‘You have to play to the final whistle and minimise as many errors as you can. It might have been an error at the end that cost us, but there were others throughout the match where we could have kept a close goal margin.

‘We laid our hearts and souls on the court today and to end on a game like this … OK we lost by a goal but we’ve put in a performance and pulled them back in. The momentum from the last couple of games – we can take that into the play-offs.’

There was a lot of fun, laughter and hard work on the Team Jets Training Camp! The young girls were inspired by the senior players and Jets proudly raised funds for Beresford Street Kitchen.

Under 14 Team Jets travelled to the UK today to play against Challengers.
 
It was a fast flowing game and Jets kept up the momentum with different combinations on court as all 10 took to the court during the match. The squad showed how much they have grown with great teamwork throughout the match despite the changes. Their determined played ensured great shooting, passing and defencise pressure forcing turnovers.
 
Despite tall defenders, the Jets shooters (Lauren Bisson, Rhea Fletcher and Maddie Reynolds) netted some fine shots and worked well together with good movement in the circle. This combined with the great court play from  Maddie Somay, Hope Herridge and Lily Scott ensured Jets took a strong lead from the off. They also provided fanastic feeds into the circle.
 
GD and Captain Bella Valeur-Adu Well earnt a well deserved POM for her tireless work in defence. She made many interceptions to help steer her team to victory and was well supported with the good defence combinations of Katie Doyle and Katie Le Rougetel/Amelia Coutanche and Lauren Bisson. Jets even denied their opposition a goal in the final quarter.

Team Jets 9,16,22,29
Challengers 2,8,12,12

POM: Bella Valeur Adu (GD)
 
Squad:

Bella Valeur Adu (Captain), Katie Doyle, Katie Le Rougetel, Amelia Coutanche, Maddie Somay, Hope Herridge, Lily Scott, Lauren Bisson, Rhea Fletcher, Maddie Reynolds 

Coaches: Jane Clarkson and Jackie Norman
Scorer: Jackie Pannenborg
Umpire: Amie Le Beuvant

Team Jets put in a great performance today away to Cumberland who are looking for promotion to Premier League Two. Jets came from behind to level the scores at 29-29 in London, but a pair of three-goal runs for Cumberland turned out to be decisive.

The hosts missed just five attempts throughout, compared to the 15 sent off target by Jets’ shooters. ‘It was so close, we were playing out of our skin and Cumberland said to us afterwards that they cannot believe where we’re sitting in the table,’ said Coach Linda Andrews. Despite Jets earning extra points for the final 44 v 41 scoreline, as Kent beat Norfolk it means Team Jets are defeinitely off to Play-offs in May.

‘It was an excellent game and we pushed them all the way. We just kept going on and on … when we believe in ourselves we can do it against all the top teams...OK we have lost, but everybody in the camp is really proud of what they put out there today. We’ve always said when we’re playing to our ability we can put out a performance.’

Team Jets have been to Play-offs twice before but in order to gain promotion which they did in 2014 and 2015. ‘We’re going to fight to stay in this league, because this is the standard we need to be playing at,’ said head coach Andrews.

‘We’ve thrown the girls in at this level but they’ve grown over the season. And if we’re not playing at this standard they’re not going to know what they need to do to improve and be able to compete at this level.’

Jacy Brown was named Jets’ player of the match for the second weekend in a row.
Team Jets: Emily Green, Tallula Norman, Rosie Tonner, Jacy Brown, Lisa Luce, Lauren Devine, Josie Le Masurier; Nicole Goddard, Leah Griffin.

Unfortunately Team Jets were unable to capitalise on the home fixture against Norfolk United and the visitors really pushed ahead in the last quarter to win 52 v 38.

Despite determined play from Team Jets to get within 1 goal of their rivals, Norfolk had a run of goals and possession allowing them to take a half time lead of 29 v 18. With a quarter to go Jets trailed 26 v 39 but scored the first 2 goals of the 4th quarter. However an ankle injury then forced off GA Becca Forrest (out for 4 weeks) and with the score at 36 v 46 Leah Griffin switches to GA and Emily Green to GS. However Jets could not pull back the deficit.