Jersey U16s 36
Littlehampton U16s 10
Match report by Blair Kempster …
AFTER the last game for Jersey U16s was abandoned at half-time due to deteriorating pitch conditions, it was good to be playing in dry conditions with the added bonus of a home fixture.
Jersey started well and, after a good kick-off deep into Littlehampton’s 22 and sustained pressure, Dexter Frigot went over for the first try of the game.
From the subsequent kick-off, Jersey gathered and launched a counter-attack. However, a number of handling errors gave Littlehampton a scrum just inside the Jersey half.
The Jersey pack applied the pressure to turn the ball and, following handling and running through the backs, Luke Cadoret added a second score.
The visitors enjoyed a period of sustained pressure in the Jersey half and were rewarded with a penalty on Jersey’s 22 in front the posts, which they duly converted to make the scoreline 10-3.
Jersey’s play dilapidated for a 10-15 minute period which allowed Littlehampton to score a try near to the posts to level at 10-10.
With half-time approaching Jersey needed a score to regain momentum, which was duly supplied by a number of driving rucks and mauls with Stellan Tonsberg scoring and Pallant converting.
Jersey started the second-half strong as Luke Cadoret, who had been excellent in the counter-attack in the first half, took the ball well and proceeded to run, sidestep and avoid tackles all the way into Littlehampton’s 22.
This gave Jersey the momentum to go forward and looked to be near to scoring but unfortunately suffered a knock-on.
Jersey applied pressure and regained possession. A cross-field kick resulted in a try for Jamie White, converted by Pallant.
Jersey kicked to Littlehampton to restart the game and good pressure from Oliver Houghton, Sonny Barrow, Oliver Cranmer and Arthur Mangematin resulted in an excellent rip and turnover of the ball by Alexander Powell resulting in a line-out.
Jersey’s throw was well taken by Joshua Fudge and the pack set for a maul, which they duly drove to within ten metres, where the point of attack was changed to the backs and Tonsberg was the beneficiary of some quick work for his second try of the game.
Littlehampton restarted the game and the kick went deep into Jersey’s half. Marvin O’Connor gratefully received the ball and took the play back to Littlehampton.
However, he was in no mood to be stopped and, using his speed and ability to step through a number of tackles, made it to their try line where, under sustained pressure from a number of Littlehampton players, Marvin unfortunately juggled and dropped the ball before he could touch it down.
Jersey’s discipline faltered, resulting in two yellow cards, but they rode the time out well and didn’t concede.
Back to 15 men, Jersey took the game to the visitors with good ball-carrying by Cole Gueno, Ethan Nicolle, Thomas Edey and Will Wilson to name but a few, and a few sniping runs from Joe Griffiths and Harry Le Brocq.
The ball came out to the backs just inside Jersey’s own half and fed to Ramon Francis, who, on seeing a gap in front of him, duly charged through, and, after some good footwork and speed scored Jersey’s sixth try of the game.
Jersey U12s 1
Midhurst U12s 4
Jersey’s U12s faced a challenging match against Midhurst, ultimately falling 4-1.
The game began with Midhurst scoring quick tries in the first-half, catching Jersey off guard as they struggled to find their energy, almost as if they were still “on the plane”.
Some silly mistakes coupled with a depleted squad due to injuries added to Jersey’s early woes.
Despite the tough start, the team began to find their rhythm. Notably, Sam Neil and Christian Barnard made their debuts and were solid in their first-ever rugby starts.
Lochlan O’Brien, playing at fly-half, executed some probing kicks into midfield, creating opportunities for Flynn Vautier and Magnus Howe to chase.
Nick Barnes made several forceful runs through the middle of the park, but Midhurst’s ability to ruck over any set-ups thwarted Jersey’s efforts.
Jersey’s lone try came from a brilliant play where Neil received a pass from O’Brien on the halfway line and popped it to Howe, who sprinted through and around the Midhurst defence from 30 yards out, diving into the corner to score.
The remainder of the game saw numerous chances for Jersey, with some tremendous individual tackles and work by Harrison Saunders and Isaac Hainsworth, but they just fell short of converting them into points.
It was an indifferent game filled with missed opportunities, but the team knows this was one that slipped away.
With lessons learned and spirits high, they aim to bounce back stronger. Player of the match as awarded by Midhurst was Howe.
Jersey U14s 7
Worthing U14s 19
Jersey U14s travelled to Worthing for their second league fixture of 2025, with the hosts an unknown entity having recently come down from Pool A.
From kick-off, the opponents were a physical and well-organised outfit with strong runners in the back line.
The opening exchanges saw both teams testing each other with each attack being met with strong defence, until Worthing exhibited some class with a lovely show and go that allowed a breakthrough to score under the posts.
Jersey then countered before a handling error – which proved a theme for Jersey – allowed the Worthing inside centre to break down the five-metre channel and go over under the posts.
Half-time arrived with Jersey 14-0 down but they picked themselves up to start the second-half strong, with the forwards punching holes in the Worthing line and giving the backs some useful ball to work with.
A clever kick to the corner saw Jersey bundle the Worthing wing into touch to win a key line-out.
A strong, driving maul ensued, finished brilliantly by the Jersey hooker to reduce the deficit to 19-7.
The final five minutes were dominated by Jersey but they were unable to convert any points.
A hard-fought fixture, in which the Caesareans can hold their heads up for the part they played.
Jersey RFC Minis & Juniors extended their thanks to their main sponsor, Santander International, as well as Jersey Sport for travel grant funding.
Jersey RFC U12s: Arthur Sleath, Christian Barnard, Flynn Vautier, George Andrieux, Harrison Saunders, Isaac Hainsworth, Heath Summers, Lochlan O’Brien, Louis De Gouveia, Magnus Howe, Max Mourant, Nick Barnes, Sam Neil. Coaches & Management: Steve O’Brien, Matthew Howe, Wayne Andrieux
Jersey RFC U14s: K Cloete, R Philips, R Foster, J de Prey, J Bourke, J Vaughan, W Felton, J Lee (c), J Bayman, W Spry (vc), A Abdelmoati, J Smith, H Glynn, F Murray, M Le Maistre. Substitutes: H Edwards, B Watson, M Monet. Coaches & Management: M Lee, H Philips, M Harris
Jersey RFC U16s: Alexander Powell, Arthur Mangematin, Ashton Planner, Cole Gueno, Dexter Frigot, Ethan Nicolle, Harry le Brocq, Jamie White, Joe Griffiths, Joshua Fudge, Louis Pallant, Luke Cadoret, Marvin O Connor, Oliver Houghton, Oliver Cranmer, Oliver Bell, Ramon Francis, Shay Gogan, Sonny Barrow, Stellan Tonsberg, Thomas Edey, Will Wilson. Coaches & Management: Nigel Higginson, Blair Kempster, Simon Le Moignan
