Box blames 'appalling' ref as St Jacques are KO'd

United Banks 22, St Jacques 19

ST JACQUES assistant coach Rob Box has lashed out at young Jersey referee Ollie Gleave following his side's heart-rending three-point Hampshire Cup defeat against United Jersey Banks on Sunday.

The well-respected former Guernsey boss was in charge of Saints in the place of absent head coach Chris Griffiths.

He watched as his side came from behind to lead 19-15 with less than 10 minutes left on the clock.

But Banks scored from a controversial scrum to shatter the Guernsey side's dreams.

Box accused Gleave of missing a punch on one his players, which he said was carried out right in front of the official.

Saints were looking for a good cup run to impress the authorities of the Hampshire RFU with the hopes of being allowed into the county's leagues.

Box did not pull any punches afterwards. 'We always play this fixture away and it's always a Jersey referee,' he said.

'The referee was appalling. Of course we're bitter that we lost, but we wish them all the best.'

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