AFTER a weekend when we won one and lost the other, it would be easy, if foolish, to say that the Siam Cup has become ‘bigger’ than the Muratti.
I am not prepared to make such a bold statement for fear of being accused of bias towards rugby, even though I unashamedly am.
But it threw up an interesting debate when that exact comment actually came on Tuesday from a colleague across the water at the Jersey Evening Post.
It is probably detrimental to have such a discussion because both always have been and always will be main highlights of the Channel Islands calendar.
The thing is, though, that the Siam has taken on much more significance for the casual sports fan, especially those here, because it has become such an even contest in recent times.
From after the purple patch when the green-and-whites won the beautiful old trophy five times between 1959 and 1967, up to and including 2004, Guernsey victories were more rare than a Jim Elliott fumble.
In that period, Jersey won 34 times and Guernsey twice, with one draw. In other words, Sarnian supporters turned up in hope rather than expectation.
While to a certain extent that is still the case, ever since the underdogs gave their Caesarean hosts one heck of a fright in 2004 before going down 32-22, there has been a belief with the regulars at Foote’s Lane that Jersey could be turned over.
And, of course, they since have been three times out of four.
It is important to remember that it is not an inter-insular clash, but an inter-club one.
The Guernsey v. Jersey rivalry will always remain in the old-fashioned among us but, vitally, both clubs are intent on progressing up the national league ladder.
To that end, Jersey employ their own semi-professional players and it has paid dividends as they will line up next season in London One. That is only four tiers below the likes of Bath, Leicester and Wasps.
Guernsey are not in that position yet, but the influx of outsiders, for want of a phrase, has undoubtedly improved their lot.
That has made the rugby on show on Siam day exceed simply passionate fare.
These guys are not just keen pub players any more. They want to improve year on year – indeed some are paid to do so – and with it the game, although more structured, is technically better than it ever has been.
Add to that the fact that before the main event there can be up to four matches going on at any one time as the academies go head-to-head in various age groups, and you have a real family day out and a terrific atmosphere from 10.30am.
The Muratti does not have those things to help it.
The final stands alone, drawing spectators thanks to its reputation rather than its quality nowadays.
Ask Guernsey captain Matt Warren if he feels that his game has improved each year and I guarantee that, through little fault of his own, his answer would differ drastically from that of any local GRUFC first team player.
To put it bluntly, the Siam and the Muratti will always have their diehard fans for being what they are. But in terms of entertainment value, rugby has become the new football.
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