Horsham V Jersey U16 Boys

Thanks

We would like to thank our main sponsor, Santander International for their continued support as well as Jersey Sport for travel grant funding.

Match Report

Jersey U16’s travelled to play Horsham for the top of the table clash and were rewarded with the game being on their all-weather 3G pitch. Weather conditions were dry with a light cross wind.

U16’s usually start their games sluggish and then have to play catch up, however this was not to be the case and came out of the blocks firing. The opening 15-20 minutes was a bit cagey as both teams were trying to establish their game plan, both making a number of breaks however the ball was either lost in contact, knocked on or turned over at a rucks, but Jersey were enjoying more of the possession, so it wasn’t till late in the first half that was a score.

A bit like Fantasia, the behind the scenes actions started to work for Jersey and were playing with more width using a combination of their forwards and back to move up the field, where Horsham were more reliant on their forwards and kick and chase from their fly half.

It was from one of the Horsham kick and chases that Jersey went from their own 22m line to within 10m of Horsham’s try line with good controlled phases by the forwards and scrum half Toby Harris and fly half Lyle Pritchard.

Jersey forwards then through a series of pick and goes, managed to narrow Horsham’s defence and Toby Harris delivered a great pass to Lyle Pritchard who still had a bit of work to do to score Jersey’s first try. Unfortunately the conversion was missed.

Jersey now played with a bit more purpose, putting pressure on the Horsham defence and again moved the ball through their backs and should have been rewarded with a second try before half time however the final pass did not go to hand. Jersey duly held out to end the first half in the lead, 5:0.

Horsham came out firing at the start of the second half and following sustained pressure in which Jamie White did more then his fair share of tackling, were rewarded with a try, however the conversion was missed.

From the restart Jersey retained possession and through a number of carries by the forwards, notably Cole Gueno, Dexter Frigot and Stellan Tonsberg, worked the ball to near the Horsham 22m line on the far side of the pitch and then through quick and accurate hands worked the ball to the near side where a bit like Cinderella (whose value was not recognised), winger Oliver Cranmer received the ball, handed off the last defender and duly scored Jersey’s second try, which was also unconverted.

It was Horsham’s turn to play with a bit more purpose and unfortunately Jersey suffered a yellow card for a high tackle.  Horsham using their forwards sensed they were on the front foot and were looking to take the lead, however Jersey defended strongly and weathered the sin bin time without conceding any points.

Jersey were playing with resolve and having the majority of possession pressed for another try, this was not to be and possession was turned over and with the last play of the match Horsham scored their second try, however missed the conversion resulting in the match being a 10:10 draw.

Alex Edwards
Arthur Mangematin
Cole Gueno
Dexter Frigot
Jamie White
Joseph Griffiths
Joshua Fudge
Luke Cadoret
Lyle Pritchard
Oliver Houghton
Oliver Cranmer
Ramon Francis
Shay Gogan
Stellan Tonsberg
Thomas Edey
Toby Harris
Tristan Yagambaram
Will Wilson

Coaches - Blair Kempster and Simon Le Moignan, Manager - Nigel Higginson