In brief: The Evelyn Partners Jets netball team beat Blackpool 55-42 in a fiercely physical contest on Saturday, securing their fourth win of the season and back-to-back home victories. Coach Emily Green praised the mental strength and tactical adaptability of her squad throughout.
A Battle of Wills as Much as Skill
If you thought netball was a genteel affair, Saturday’s match would have disabused you of that notion fairly swiftly. The Jersey Evening Post reports that the Evelyn Partners Jets overcame a “boisterous” Blackpool side in what coach Emily Green described as one of the most physically demanding matches of the season. Blackpool, it seems, arrived with an agenda that went somewhat beyond the rulebook, playing what Green called a “very on-body style” and making liberal attempts to contest umpiring decisions.
The Jets, to their considerable credit, refused to be rattled. “We didn’t back away from the physicality, but we stayed true to our identity,” Green said. “We weren’t going to be bullied or pushed around.” That composure under pressure proved decisive.
The opening two quarters were tight. Blackpool edged the first 12-11, and the second quarter ended level at 11 apiece, leaving the visitors with a narrow 23-22 half-time advantage. At that point, the match could have gone either way.
Tactical Switches Turn the Tide
The second half told a very different story, and much of the credit goes to Green’s willingness to reshape her lineup mid-match. Captain Jodie Blampied, who had started at centre in an unfamiliar role, was moved back to her preferred wing defence position, with Serena Kersten stepping into the centre bib. The effect was immediate.
“Moving Serena into centre and Jodie back to wing defence made an immediate difference,” Green explained. “We suddenly had that middle channel opening up and the feeds into the shooters improved considerably.” Changes in the shooting circle also helped, with Lily Jones moved to goal attack and Grace Thomson repositioned at the back, giving Blackpool’s defence an entirely different problem to solve.
The Jets won the third quarter 17-11, opening up a 39-34 lead heading into the final period. From there, they did not look back, winning the fourth quarter 16-8 to seal a 55-42 victory.
Defensive Heroics Seal the Win
Green was particularly effusive about her defensive unit in the closing stages. Goalkeeper Becca Forrest recorded four clean interceptions in the fourth quarter alone, finishing the match with ten individual turnovers across all four periods, including interceptions and a rebound. Goal defence Molly Carre contributed three turnovers in the final quarter, including an interception, and showed considerable resilience after taking a heavy challenge at one point, getting straight back up without reaction and continuing to play.
“We won seven balls in that quarter because the defensive unit really grew into the game,” Green said. “Becca was absolutely eating ball. That’s a phenomenal contribution.”
Green also highlighted the performances of Jacy Brown at wing attack, young player Layla Dos Santos stepping into wing defence for the first half, and substitute Madison Fitzgerald-Wilkins, who made an immediate impact in the final ten minutes. Club captain Rosie Tonner remains sidelined with injury, with Blampied continuing to wear the armband in her absence.
There is also a history between these two clubs worth noting. Green revealed that Blackpool beat the Jets in a Premier 3 status final some three and a half years ago. Saturday’s result, then, carried a little extra satisfaction. A return fixture on Blackpool’s home court is scheduled for later in the season, and Green says she is looking forward to it.
Source: Jersey Evening Post
