04/05/2013

Siam Cup
Jersey 41 Guernsey 8
by Tom Innes

The 2013 outbreak of the fierce local rugby rivalry in the
Channel Islands ended with Jersey claiming one of rugby's oldest
trophies, the Siam Cup.

Three leagues above their neighbours, Championship side Jersey
were made to work hard and were second-best for large periods of
the first half, trailing 7-8 with just three minutes of the first
half remaining.

The visitors had gone ahead when Blair Campbell took advantage
of lackadaisical play by Jersey, pouncing for a try. Dave
McCormack, playing his final game before retirement, replied for
the hosts thanks to an artful dummy, but it was only in the dying
moments of the half that further tries by Dave Felton and Ashley
Maggs enabled Jersey to take control of the match.

Several Jersey players were making their final appearances
before moving on in the summer, including Richard Barrington (bound
for Saracens), Michael Le Bourgeois (Bedford) and Nathan Hannay
(Leeds). Hannay crossed early in the second period after some
intense pressure, but the home side were then frustrated by some
tenacious Guernsey defence and the rampaging running of
replacements Nick Merrien and Layton Baptiste.

Eventually the visitors tired in the last 10 minutes; Baptiste
was sin-binned and Jersey took advantage to run in three tries
through wingers Ed Dawson and Chris Levesley (2).

Skipper Graham Bell, another playing his final game for Jersey's
1st XV, lifted the Siam Cup, although Guernsey took consolation
from their spirited effort, plus wins in the Veterans and Ladies
matches, with the 2nd XV match drawn.

Fallaize Cup: Jersey Athletic 17 Guernsey 2nd
XV 17

Nash Cup: Jersey Wanderers 12 Guernsey Veterans
28

Ladies Siam: Jersey United Banks Ladies 0
Guernsey 17

Jersey: Bryce (Burroughs 63), Levesley,
Sanders, Maggs, Dawson, Le Bourgeois, McCormack (O'Brien 53);
Barrington, Felton, Brennan (McCarthy 64), Hannay, Markham, Bell
(capt) (Voss 56), Lang (Nihill 53), Vaioleti. Replacements (not
used): Copsey, Taione.

Guernsey: Harvey, Taylor (Rigden 75), Wood,
Baptiste J, Stables (Challenor 54), Campbell (capt) (Hile 19),
Rutledge; Sharrott, Ceillam, Craine (Baptiste L 40), Stevens
(O'Keefe 71), Hillier, Regnard (Merrien 40), Pool, Barton.
Replacements (not used): Davidson

Referee: Paul Kimber

HT: 17-8
Att: 2,763
Men of the match: Dave Felton (Jersey); Tom Pool
(Guernsey)

Scorers
Jersey
Tries: McCormack 31, Felton 37, Maggs 39, Hannay 45,
Dawson 72, Levesley 75, 79
Conversions: Le Bourgeois 31, 45, 79

Guernsey
Try: Campbell 12
Penalty: Rutledge 21