Veterans Turn on the Style

CAPTAIN SIMON GRAHAM said that the 82-point win over the Colts was their best display of running rugby for many seasons.
The early stages at the KGV on Sunday. were keenly contested and despite the Vets’ forward domination the Colts’ enthusiastic defence remained disciplined and proved difficult to break down.
On several occasions only last ditch tackles prevented the Vets’ dangerous looking three-quarters from crossing the try line and after 20 minutes the score was only 12- 7 to the older guys.
The Vets, however, kept applying the pressure and eventually the Colts defensive set up started to crack and the Vets centre partnership of Dave O’Hanlon and Paul Smith started to find gaps to put the back three clear into space.
At half time the Vets were 30 points up and after the break the points continued to be racked up.
The second half continued much the same way as the first half ended and the ball fizzed down the Vets back-line with Jim Elliott and Andy Bailey scoring several tries apiece.
Not wanting to be outdone the Vets forwards put in some impressive runs themselves with Jason Brouard and Jack Webber proving to be particularly hard to stop.
‘Hopefully the Colts will be able to take some positives out of the game because they competed very well, especially in the first quarter,’ said the Vets’ captain Simon Graham.
‘I think they need to work on maintaining their defensive patterns for the full 80 minutes but they shouldn’t be too disheartened as that was one of the best all round performances I’ve seen from the Vets in the past eight seasons.’
Charles McHugh, head of the Guernsey Academy, put a brave face on the defeat and said the side would continue to get stronger.
‘This year's cohort of Colts have a new pack who are predominantly young 17s and this has proved difficult for selection of a team to play, especially when combined with a requirement for an over 18s front row for senior rugby,’ he said.
‘Last season’s squad of forwards Colts were predominantly 18 with experience in the UK leagues.
‘We are proud to report that two of last year’s U18 Colts, namely Nick Ozard and Alex Penney, have this month been selected to play for Hampshire under 20's at open side flanker and No. 8 respectively.
‘This is a first for Guernsey rugby and a great achievement for these young players who are away at college in the UK.’
McHugh said the game against the Vets was an important opportunity for young players to gain valuable experience and learn from older and wiser heads.
‘The benefits are huge when they then take those learning points back into under 18 Sussex League games.
‘This season's Colts have a group of backs who played last season and gained great experience when playing a year up.
‘At 10, Connor Sullivan, and at 15, Tom Chammings, together with utility back Adam Rawles, they have great skills and promise.
‘Tom Chammings and Connor Sullivan have already been identified by Jordan Reynolds as potential first team squad players and played in the inter-insular and Tom is playing regular Hampshire U18s.
‘As the season progresses and more Colts have 17th birthday parties you will see more games in the Chandler and Bachmann Cup games which will allow the club’s young talent to emerge.