Lewes RFC Colts V JRFC Saltgate Colts

Jersey Saltgate Colts first Cup Match against Lewes RFC Colts was initially due to be played in January, icy pitch conditions prevented it taking place. However the weather for the rescheduled match couldn’t have been more different and was played in bright sunshine. The Sussex Colts Cup is a knockout competition and you have to win to stay in. Due to  a number of factors the Jersey team travelled with only 16 players.

Quick, free flowing rugby was the order of the day as Jersey ripped their way through the Lewes defence. It was a real team performance from both squads and highlighted everything good about Colts rugby. The forwards put in the hard yards and the backs continued to profit.

It was a tough first half  as Jersey showed strength in attacking rugby, forcing Lewes to dig deep in defence. Jersey wing Quentin Fevier opened the scoring with a deft sprint from his own half through the Lewes defence, to put the ball under the sticks. Fly-half Finn Bennett added the extras and slotted the conversion . The half time score put Jersey 10-0 ahead.

In the second half Jersey continued to look dangerous and made their dominance count. Jersey centre Archie Le Maistre weaving through the Lewes line was next to score with Bennett adding the extras, to put the score at 17-7. It certainly wasn’t one way traffic. Lewes deserve huge plaudits for staging a fightback to score two tries in quick succession. Jersey were quick to respond with fullback Byron Major making a break to take the ball over for another try.

Whilst the Lewes pack managed to score off the back of a rolling maul, they had ultimately, left themselves too much to do as the clock ticked down. Jersey piled on the pressure in the final minutes to take a  22-19 win to secure a place in the next stage of the Cup.

Coach Lewis Wynne was pleased with the way the team utilised training drills during the match. “They stayed together, ran through the structures, and really worked for each other to get the win. In essence the effort put into training sessions really paid off”. Coach Tim Grey said “the boys were full of intensity, fight and drive from the first minute. You really could have picked anyone to win man of the match, it really was that good a team performance with everyone playing their part”.

Jersey Saltgate Colts next run out is a Sussex League match against Worthing RFC Colts (02/03/25). The team remain grateful to their sponsors SALTGATE for their ongoing support, both on and off the pitch.

Shane O'Brien (C), Ze-Luca Piazza, Daniel Rodrigues, Charlie White, William Dagilan, Oliver Walker, Jenson Russell, Max Sayers, Oliver Sayers, Finn Bennett, Archie Le Maistre, Quentin Fevrier, Byron Major, Jonty O'Sullivan, Casey Dunning(MoM),Charlie Fraser.

Coaches: Tim Grey & Lewis Wynne