From pub team to fierce rivals: Guernsey's All Blacks grow up

ST JACQUES, 30 years old this year, wasted little time in making their mark on the domestic game.

Within four years they had lifted their first trophy, the Stewart Cadec Bowl for the CI's then junior clubs, but it served merely as a taster for more exciting challenges ahead, notably taking on the full might of Guernsey and Jersey a year later.

In 1983, the Sarnian answer to the All Blacks had been accepted into the Hampshire Cup for the first time, but whom should they draw first up in the preliminary round – Guernsey.

The game carried that extra bite as those from Foote's Lane HQ clearly regarded the lot from along the road at the King George V Field as a feeder into their first team.

And as much as St Jacques baulked at the thought, the presence of founder member Martin Petit in the opposition, as well as John Blumson, was evidence that Guernsey might have a point.