Two academy sides bring home trophies

THE RBS International Guernsey Rugby Academy's mini and midi squads performed outstandingly at the Havant Emerging Players Festival with the under-nines and under-12s bringing home the silverware.

'For many of the squads this festival was surprisingly their first competitive fixture of the season, which makes their success all the more remarkable,' said Geoff Renouf, director of the academy.

'And the under-nines coming home with the winners trophy is absolutely fantastic.'

Lead coach of the youngest age group, Angus McLellan, took a lot of positives from their performances.

'For the under-eights squad, whose attacking capability was not in doubt and who were easily the fastest and potentially the most decisive of the teams in their pool, the absence of competitive games showed in our defensive frailties and other turnover offences such as offside or running into touch,' he said

'That is why the experience was greatly appreciated by the players and will put the under-eights in better stead for the forthcoming Marlow tournament.'

The Guernsey squad won the under-nines festival even though it was also their first competitive fixture for the season, with only one friendly against Jersey behind them. They were also playing their first season of mini contact rugby, having left mini tag behind.

The Guernsey team found themselves in a group with Trojans, Andover, Alton, Bracknell and Fareham Heathens, and finished unbeaten at the top of the pool rounds, conceding only one try.

They went on to win the Havant Emerging Players Festival under-nines trophy.

'We knew we had pace everywhere in the squad but their work rate was magnificent,' said lead coach Ian Farrell.

'We are very proud of them all. Next stop Marlow Festival on 29 March.'