Watts’ team were on the wrong end of an 11-0 defeat by St Saviour at Les Quennevais last night and he says it’s been a difficult few days searching for players to play in the inter-parochial tournament.
‘I got back from France last Friday after five weeks away and we only had four players signed,’ said Watts.
‘In its current format and with the timing of it I think it is dying.
It’s the oldest competition in the Channel Islands and I think it’s time for a revamp.
‘It’s played when many students are still at University and they will all have gone back when the final is due to be played!’
Holders St Saviour cruised into the first round last night after thumping St Lawrence 11-0.
In icy conditions and on a hardening and slippery pitch, Craig Leitch scored five times, junior Declan Sowney hit a hat-trick, Jack Cannon scored twice and Darren Quintal once.
St Saviour scored twice at the start and finish of the first half before bagging their final four goals in the closing 14 minutes.
St Saviour manager Ian Corfield said: ‘It was easy in the end but full credit to St Lawrence they never game up and in the first half they hit the crossbar and our goalkeeper Max Jouan pulled off two blinding saves.
‘Referee Steve Proffitt was concerned for player safety at half time but the players of both teams wanted to play on so we did.
They were sensible about it so fortunately there were no problems.
‘Leitchy is sharp and quick witted and he is very difficult to stop when he’s buzzing like he was last night and he got great support from Declan Sowney.’
Watts said: ‘I was proud of my players; they worked hard throughout and deserve credit.
At half time I was prepared to concede the game because of the conditions but my players wanted to carry on so we did.’
St Saviour will play the winners of tonight’s first round match between St Clement and St Brelade at St Saviour on Saturday 29 December, kick-off 1.30 pm.
St Lawrence: Jason Watts; Andrew Corey, Stephen Reed, Paul Jeanne, Giles Emmanuel; Simon Stratford, Tim De Luca, Kyle Turmel, Nathan Maguire; Neil Spacie, Aaron Parkinson.
St Saviour: Max Jouan; Sam Baldwin, Michael Norman, Joel Speight, Chris Young; Luc Le Miere, Jack Cannon, Bruno Pires, Darren Quintal; Declan Sowney, Craig Leitch.
Subs used: Simon Pugsley, Dale Parker.
Officials: Steve Proffitt, Andy Legg, Nick Ashley.
