Rugby union: Under-16s repeat Siam Cup mauling of Guernsey team

Rugby union: Under-16s repeat Siam Cup mauling of Guernsey team

Both sides were fielding new players, but fears that Jersey’s young and comparatively light-weight front row could give Guernsey’s heavyweight pack a big advantage proved unfounded.

Indeed, it was the home forwards, with Lee Jégou outstanding, that gave Jersey the edge, particularly in the first half, as their much vaunted and pacy back line had a mixed and often frustrating time of it, with handling, passing and decision-making errors.The far greater mobility of the Jersey pack and a growing stability in the scrum gave Jersey a solid platform to build on their great start of two tries in the first six minutes.Full back David Carpenter got the try deluge under way, joining the back line to score in the right-hand corner after good work from the forwards on the far left.

He missed the conversion, but the rest of his place kicking in the first half was simply excellent and gave him a personal tally of 11 points.

Busy scrum-half Patrick Cahill added another try in the same corner minutes later.AdvantageLeading 12-0, Jersey lost territorial advantage for a period but stretched further ahead when flanker Wayne Boschat scored the first of his two tries after powerful play from the pack.

Just minutes later hooker Spencer Adams went over from five yards on the left following good play from fellow under-15 prop David Felton.

Jersey further underlined their advantage in the forwards when Jegou, supported well by flanker John Le Brun, emerged with a try.

Carpenter’s towering conversion from the right put Jersey 31-0 ahead at the break.Guernsey, fielding two Hampshire triallists, albeit out of position, looked shell-shocked, and were even deeper in trouble when the Jersey back line improved enormously in second period.Nick Scott replaced injured winger Adam Speight, who had looked dangerous despite a dearth of passes in the first half, but it was improved handling that sparked the Reds; centre John Felton getting the space to run wide and then through makeshift Guernsey fullback Tomasz Chandler to score.Following an almost indentical move Chandler this time brought down Felton, but possession was retained and the ball played quickly right for centre Luc Mathews to cross over at speed.At 46-0 Guernsey were unable to raise their game and despite losing a boot along the away, Cahill sprinted through on the left touchline for his second try.

Winger Tom Le Sauteur got in on the try-scoring act in a move in which under-15 substitute centre Alex King played a vital part, but the final word went to the forwards with Boshat getting his second try of the day when he sliced through a despairing Guernsey defence.

Mathews showed some rare mercy by missing the conversion.Guernsey will have the opportunity of revenge on Saturday afternoon when their highly-regarded under-15s take on Jersey at St Peter.Jersey: Kevin Quénault, Spencer Adams, David Felton, Jonny Clark, Lee Jégou, Carl Gavey, Jack Le Brun, Wayne Boschat; Patrick Cahill, Alex Romeril; Tom Le Sauteur, Luc Mathews, John Felton, Adam Speight, David Carpenter.

Subs: Stephan Metcalfe, Alex King, Nick Scott, Alex Whitehead.Coaches: Mal Morgan and Ross Henderson.Guernsey: Jamal Abdul-Razak, John Angliss, Corin Asembrener, Layton Batiste, Reece Baudains, Gareth Billien, James Burton, Tomasz Chandler, Adam Collis, Sam Du Putron, Diogo Freitas, Daniel Haith, Martin Hepworth, Daniel Le Huray, Jason Leadbeater, Nick Ogier, Shaun Sawbridge, David Sweet.Ref: William Whitehead.

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