HAUTLIEU U16s were crowned the 2024 winners of the Lord Jersey Cup, in its first running since the pandemic.
After a perfect four wins from four in the group stage, Hautlieu defeated reigning champions from 2019, De La Salle College, 23-5 in the final for a clean sweep on the day at Jersey Rugby Club.
The dominant display saw the victors concede just 20 points across the five games en route to success.
The 10th Earl of Jersey, William Villiers, has long been a supporter of local rugby, launching the Lord Jersey Cup 16 years ago to the day in 2008.
Along with bragging rights, each school was awarded an equal sum of money by Lord Jersey to contribute towards sporting equipment.
Further to winners Hautlieu and De La Salle, third place in the group stage went to Victoria College, followed by Les Quennevais and Grainville respectively.
Recently appointed rugby development officer Myles Landick said: “To see the tournament up and running again after a few years was absolutely brilliant.
“Lord Jersey has been a fantastic supporter of local rugby and we were all very keen to get the cup back on the schools calendar.
“Each school that participated was awarded money from Lord Jersey to go towards sporting equipment, which is massive for the schools involved.”
The event, which was first won by Victoria College in 2008, has previously incorporated a Guernsey Combined Schools Development team and Landick would love to see the event expanded beyond the Jersey schools in years ahead.
“The whole environment was superb,” he added.
“There was music blasting around the scoring area and everyone just really seemed to enjoy the occasion.
“It was a brilliant start. We hope next year that Le Rocquier will have a side involved and the plan is to invite a couple of schools across from the UK also.
“If we can double the amount of schools involved, it will only add to the spectacle and help aid the progression of our youngsters’ rugby.”
Landick, who played rugby for Jersey Reds and now serves as head coach of Jersey RFC, is fully aware of the importance of keeping participation in the sport thriving within Jersey schools.
The former professional is very proud of the home-grown talent within his squad and has placed an added emphasis on how vital it is to keep the production line in good order.
“I think we have seen the amounts of people playing rugby in secondary schools decrease over the years.
“The figures are down substantially over the past decade. From a development standpoint on the Island, it’s going to be a big rebuild.
“But managing to re-ignite this tournament is a great start and we will continue to strive to ensure that school kids remain interested in the sport.”
