The wins, against Portsmouth U14s and Basingstoke U15s, will give the Jersey teams – both of who came from behind – great heart for the campaign which entails them playing all their fixtures in Hampshire.
Portsmouth 3, Jersey RFC U14 17: An early penalty put the home side ahead but that was wiped out with interest when Matthew Behan surged outside his opposite winger to touch down for a try converted by Scott vandervliet.
Powerful centre Aaron Young stretched Jersey’s lead to 12-3 when he finished a great team effort which featured impressive ball winning, passing and movement.
It was a match that was won up front, with Jersey’s front row particularly impressive, though the points were sealed by another effort from Young, who scored after a pulsating run from deep in his own half took him past half a dozen Portsmouth players.
‘It was a great effort from the boys,’ said delighted coach Trevor Falle who fully-backed the decision to give man-of-the-match to prop Hugh Blaine.
With the club’s U16s having led the way in Hampshire Division I last season, the increased commitment at two more age levels show what a dynamic outlook the Academy has, with their progression having attracted vital sponsorship from Ashburton and Bedell Group to go alongside principal backer Moore Management.
U14 squad: Hugh Blaine, Paul Maguire, Adam Hayes, Jordan Deffains, Tim Corson, Guy Richardson, Michael Medway, Richard Sinel, James Allbutt, Timothy Kearns; William Falle, Scott vandervliet, Aaron Young, Michael McCabe, Jamie Kenyon, Aidan McGuire, Dale Le Main, Matthew Behan.
Coaches: Rory Steel, Trevor Falle and Chris Lagadu.
Manager: Denis Van der vliet.
Basingstoke 12, Jersey 19: Described as a high velocity game by coach Tony Taylor, Jersey’s win came on the back of a ‘terrific all-round performance.’ Stand-off Kilian Dorey opened the scoring early on, with centre Greg Turner converting his try.
Basingstoke, however, pulled back level by the break, 7-7, and were ahead, 12-7, just minutes after the resumption with a forwards try.
But Jersey’s man-of-the-match, flanker Mark Amy, pulled the scores level when he crossed the hosts’ line after strong running from full-back Daniel Clark, another who impressed.
The winning score came from Christian Foley, his try converted by Daniel McAviney.
Said coach Taylor: ‘It’s an excellent start and there’s much to build on for the next eight games or so.
Going on that performance we’ve a real chance to take the league if we stick at it.’ U15 squad: Jared Dowinton, Stephen de Ste Croix, Leandro De Souza, Mathew Gosselin, Tom MacCabe, Mark Amy, James Seedhouse, Chris Whitehead, Tom Ellis, Daniel McAviney, Kilian Dorey, William Poole, Greg Turner, Zane Duquemin, Christian Foley, Sam Chinn, Daniel Clark, Bruno Santos Costa.
Coaches: Mark Foley, Bob LeBrocq, Tony Taylor.
