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.’
Hot on the heels of the Ronez initiative tournament in Jersey, this was Guernsey under-11s’ first competitive festival of the season too.
Short of competition in the island, this was to prove a testing day for the young squad, but there were strong individual performances and the team reached the semi-finals, losing only to the eventual festival winners.
‘We are now looking forward to fixtures at the end of the month against Richmond, London Irish and others,’ said lead coach Rob Marcham.
His under-12 counterpart Anthony Paul was understandably delighted was his side’s efforts.
‘Winning the under-12s shield was a fantastic reward having seen Guernsey’s confidence grow with each game, leading towards a more open, fluid style of play, built on the base of a good supply of ball derived from the greater intensity applied to the contact areas, particularly in the later games,’ he said.
Renouf added that with Siam Cup weekend in May looming, the festival was a very positive experience for the academy.
‘It demonstrated more than anything else what the squads lacked was match practice as they improved so quickly, learning from each game and every new opponent,’ he said.
‘We are very grateful to RBS International for its sponsorship and I must also thank all the dedicated members of the academy who give their time to make the opportunities happen successfully.
‘The day was made complete when the captain of our chartered Aurigny aircraft, filled with 66 jubilant boys, congratulated them on their success. On-time departures and helpful ground staff in both Guernsey and Southampton were an enormous help to our travelling adults too.’
Article posted on 19th March, 2009 - 2.30pm
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