Siam warm up very valuable

GUERNSEY'S minis rugby sides warmed up for the Siam Cup inter-insular weekend with an exciting trip to Newbury and the massive festival of minis rugby. The four age-group squads were among 108 teams present representing 24 clubs.

A highlight was the performance of the under-9s who beat a Winchester squad to reach the final against Windsor.

The final was a bruising affair on a hard, unforgiving pitch.

The Guernsey three-quarter line of Daniel Lee-Barber, Alex Torode and Charles Cooney excelled themselves with try saving tackles as they chased the game in the final after conceding a try early in the second half.

At one point the Windsor try line was at the mercy of the attackers with three defenders flattened by strong tackles, only for the final pass to be adjudged forward.

The equalising try simply would not come and in the end the squad had to be satisfied with runners-up medals.

'More importantly, though, they left full of confidence ahead of the Jersey challenge,' said assistant coach, Ian Garner.

Under-10s coach Anthony Paul also praised his boys.

'While it was disappointing they didn't achieve the win that their efforts richly deserved, their approach to matches and their improvement throughout the tournament will hold them in good stead for the game against Jersey on Saturday.'

Tim Rawles, head of the under-11s, said his lads had improved with every game and if they have enough conviction can beat the reds.

Rob Sinclair, in charge of the island under-12s, said: 'All the sides they played were bigger than them but Guernsey played well and put up spirited resistance right to the final whistle of each game.

'They have all benefited from playing against good opposition.'