Jersey U13 Boys v Brighton U13 Boys

Jersey U13s 15 – 10 Brighton U13s
Home fixture | Pitch 1 | A day to remember
Jersey U13s delivered a performance full of courage, pace and composure as they edged out Brighton U13s 15–10 in a thrilling home fixture on the main pitch at Pitch 1.
Despite challenging foggy conditions across the Channel meaning Brighton could only travel with one side, the visitors arrived in Jersey with strong travelling support, adding to an already impressive crowd of parents and supporters lining the touchlines. The stage was set — and the players did not disappoint.
Jersey started on the front foot. Captain and Man of the Match Harrison Saunders immediately set the tone, slicing through from deep inside his own 22 with a powerful, instinctive run. Offloading to Sam Neil who deftly passed to Neirin Jarvis to setup the phase play. Only a last-ditch intervention from Brighton’s well-organised defence prevented what looked a certain opening score.
The breakthrough came soon after and in spectacular fashion. Magnus Howe collected the ball close to his own try line and backed himself, evading multiple tacklers before surging beyond the halfway line. That line break ignited a series of controlled phases, patiently built by the Reds, before Nick Barnes finished in the corner with a trademark rampaging run to open the scoring.
Brighton responded in kind. Their outstanding centre — later deservedly named Brighton’s Man of the Match — showcased pace and footwork, cutting through several tackles from swift backline play to level the contest.
Jersey struck back with another moment of electric rugby. Zac Howell applied the afterburners from deep, sprinting nearly the length of the pitch and dragging defenders with him. From the resulting phases, it was once again Nick Barnes who found space and dotted down, extending Jersey’s lead.
The visitors refused to go away, however, and once more their centre broke through the Jersey defence to keep the scoreboard ticking and the match finely balanced.
What followed was a gripping contest. The majority of the game unfolded as a tight, physical battle, with both sides trading breaks, tackles and moments of real quality. Defensive commitment and covering speed from both teams ensured chances were hard-earned and harder to finish.
The decisive moment came late in the game. Fielding a defensive kick, Harrison Saunders, now covering at fullback, spotted an opportunity and took it with confidence. Darting through the oncoming defence, he evaded several tacklers with strength and footwork before racing clear to score the final try and seal a memorable 15–10 victory for the Reds.
It was a fantastic game of rugby — intense, skilful and played in the right spirit — played out in front of loud and passionate home and travelling support. These are the days young players remember.
Brighton thoroughly enjoyed their time in Jersey and are keen to return with more sides in the future, a testament to both the rugby and the welcome.
For Jersey, attention now turns to the Junior Siam in Guernsey, with focus on sharpening ruck technique and spreading play wider to maximise the squad’s clear strengths: speed, athleticism and ambition.
A performance full of pride — and a result well earned.

A huge thank you to Oakbridge for their incredible support as a sponsor of our junior rugby team! Your generosity in providing travel polo shirts and hoodies means our players can represent the team with pride both on and off the field. We’re proud to have you as part of our rugby family!

Louis De Gouveia
Neirin Jervis
Lochan O'Brien
Magnus Howe
Tudor Dumitru
Sam Neil
Christian Barnard
Cameron Casely
Nick Barnes
Zac Howell
Flynn Vautier
Mylo Kerley
Harrison Saunders ©

Marcus Paiva
James Hacquoil
Ashton Walls
George Andrieux
Toby Mallet

Matthew Howe
Mark Barnard
Kim Hacquoil
Neil Hernandez