Steyning V Jersey U13 Boys

Jersey U13s Launch League Campaign with Gritty Win Over Steyning**

**Steyning, Sunday** — Jersey Under-13s kicked off their league season in emphatic fashion with a 25–15 away win against Steyning Rugby Club, showcasing power, flair, and resilience in equal measure.

The match marked the squad’s first experience under the new scrummaging rules, with the introduction of a number 8 position . From the opening whistle, Captain Harrison Saunders, deployed at fullback,  — driving the team forward and nearly securing an early score through intense pressure from Nick Barnes.

Jersey’s scrum dominance was evident from the outset. The newly formed front row union of  Toby Mallet, Rueben Fitzpatrick, and Louis De Gouveia repeatedly shifted a heavier Steyning pack, capitalising on the new pushing rules to gain territory and momentum.

Despite Jersey’s early control, Steyning struck first with a breakaway try, their powerful centre slicing through the midfield before offloading to the winger for the finish. But Jersey responded instantly. From the restart, Saunders spotted a gap and surged 50 metres through a scrambling defence to level the scores with a moment of individual brilliance.

The visitors continued to apply pressure, and another dominant scrum , a quick pass from James Hacquoil laid the platform for Magnus Howe to head into traffic, setup play for Mallet to bulldoze his way over from close range. Moments later, Lochlan O’Brien returned the kick-off with intent, setting up Saunders and Harrison Cope to chase down the Steyning fullback. Under pressure, he faltered, and Saunders pounced for his second. Jersey led 15–5.

Before the break, **Saunders** completed his hat-trick with a dazzling run down the wing, extending the lead to 20–5.

The second half saw Steyning take advantage of the slope and mount a comeback. Two quick tries brought the score to 20–15, with Jersey forced into a defensive stand led by new number 8 Ashton Walls against a physically imposing side. Cope delivered a textbook tackle to halt a charging runner, while Heath Summers, Tudor Dumitru and Barnes combined to release Flynn Vautier on the wing — only for Steyning’s defence to hold firm.

Jersey sealed the win with an opportunistic penalty try after Milo Leach chased a loose ball and was denied by foul play, bringing the final score to 25–15.

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A strong start to the season for Jersey, with promising signs ahead of next month’s clash against Midhurst. The team’s adaptation to new rules, fitness, scrum dominance, and defensive grit bode well for the campaign ahead.

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Sleath Arthur
Walls Ashton-James
Vautier Flynn
Andrieux George
Cope Harrison
Saunders Harrison
Summers Heath
Hacquoil James
O'Brien Lochlan
Howe Magnus
Leach Milo
Barnes Nicholas
Fizpatrick Reuben
De Gouveia Louis
Mallet Toby
Dumitru Tudor

Matthew Howe
Steve O'Brien
Dan Hainsworth