ON paper, the Guernsey junior side were far superior to that of their Jersey counterparts, and a comprehensive 13.5 – 1.5 victory on home soil confirmed that dominance.
The Sarnians fielded arguably their strongest team in the history of the event, with Jayden Tucknott and brothers Rory and Connor McKenna all involved, as they will be for the men’s team this weekend at La Moye.
For Guernsey, it highlighted the strength in their junior golf program, and for Jersey it provided a valuable opportunity to learn from the Channel Islands’ best.
It was a youthful Caesarean side, most of whom will have many years ahead of them to develop and grow as players.
Despite the heavy margin of defeat at L’Ancresse, the visitors ventured back south with smiles on their faces.
Team manager Derek de la Haye said: ‘Their attitude was outstanding.
‘All of them returned from the trip smiling and that was the most important thing.
‘Our aim was to play to the best of our ability and extend some of the matches for as many holes as possible.
‘Guernsey’s junior section is so strong at the moment and it’s clear to see with three of their side picked to represent the men this coming weekend.
‘It should serve as the benchmark and we will fight to ensure we are giving our juniors the best opportunities to further their talent.’
The hosts were relentless from the word go, racing to a 5-0 lead following the fourballs session.
No mercy was shown to the Caesareans in the singles either, as the trio selected for the men’s side were put out in the first three matches, which extended the Sarnian lead.
The next three matches also went the way of the hosts, who dazzled the home crowd with plenty of birdies on the links.
Some Jersey pride was restored late on as Lewis Ham-Howes claimed a hard-fought half against Alex Mills, before Benjamin Carnegie-Bedlow anchored in the final match claimed Jersey’s first point of the contest with a 4&3 victory over Max Raffray.
Despite the obvious historic rivalry and desire to succeed, the matches were played in a ‘friendly atmosphere’ that made the occasion special to all involved.
De la Haye added: ‘I was really impressed at the spirit in which the matches were played.
‘There were some big handicap ranges in the matches and the some of the elite Guernsey players were very supportive of our younger players.
‘There will always be a rivalry between the Islands, but it was very refreshing to see the manner in which the match was contested.’
Full results (Jersey named first)
FourballsCrake-Jones/Townsend lost vs C McKenna/Tucknott (5&3)Hafey/Ham-Howes lost vs Austin/Marley (7&6)Carvalho/Wilson lost vs Troop/Davy (6&5)Allchin/Zeale lost vs R McKenna/Raffray (5&3)Shield/Carnegie-Bedlow lost vs Mills/Chamberlain (5&4)
Jersey 0–5 GuernseySinglesShield lost vs C McKenna (7&5)Allchin lost vs R McKenna (5&4)Hafey lost vs Tucknott (3&2)Wilson lost vs Marley (5&4)Townsend lost vs Austin (6&5)Carvalho lost vs Troop (6&5)Ham-Howes halved vs MillsZeale lost vs Chamberlain (7&6)Carnegie-Bedlow won vs Raffray (4&3)Jersey 1.5–13.5 Guernsey
