The Channel Islands rugby team made a statement on Saturday, thrashing Sweden 66-28 at Footes Lane in their first-ever international fixture.
In front of over 2,000 fans, the combined squad of Guernsey and Jersey players beat the world’s 31st ranked side with an impressive display.
“Our guys were electric on Saturday,” said Guernsey and CI head coach Jordan Reynolds, adding: “That was the highest standard of rugby I’ve seen from any side at Foote’s Lane.
“The quality of rugby we have in the Channel Islands is fantastic, and combining Jersey RFC and Guernsey Raiders created fireworks against a very tough Swedish team.”
CI co-captain Evan Whitson echoed the coach’s sentiments, adding: “It was a really enjoyable game to be a part of, everything just clicked and we really expressed ourselves on the pitch.
“We did ourselves justice and definitely put on a show for the crowd. Everybody was putting their bodies on the line for each other.”
Leading up to the tie, much was spoken about how the team were gelling, with some concerns raised about the players training together only once.
However, such worries were quickly dispelled, as the islanders wasted no time in starting the scoring.
“It was surprising how quickly the two teams connected,” continued the head coach.
“But it just happened so seamlessly. After ten minutes it felt as with we played with each other for ten years.”
Sarnian Dom Rice barged his way in for the first, before fellow Raider Anthony Armstrong darted down the flank and crossed the try line, giving the hosts a commanding 14-0 lead after 11 minutes.
Jersey’s Aaron Penberthy demonstrated his accuracy, providing a pair of early conversions to maximise the lead.
The Swedes refused to back down, however, as vice captain and record try-scorer Axel Kalling-Smith pounced on a loose pass to break through with blistering pace, reducing the deficit to 14-7, following a successful Joar Blanck conversion.
The visitors seemed to be gaining momentum, but their advance was halted when a poorly placed pass was fumbled by David Hill, which proved a costly mistake.
After winning the resulting scrum, Guernsey’s Josh Poullet blasted his way down the wing, creating a wide open lane on the inside. Fellow Raider Charlie Simmonds didn’t hesitate to capitalise, receiving a quick pass before leaping over the try line.
Penberthy left it tight, as the ball just bounced in off the post to secure the conversion and a 21-7 lead.
Many big hits from the yellow wall kept the CI attackers at bay, but Armstrong once again turned on the jets to dash past the line.
The Channel Islands were well on their way to a dominant victory, but an all-out opening effort seemed to take its toll physically.
“After about 25 minutes we looked absolutely gassed. The whole team were exhausted,” Reynolds continued.
“When you play international rugby, the game becomes a lot faster. As we gassed ourselves pretty quickly, we weren’t working hard enough defensively.”
The Scandinavian outfit took advantage, scoring a pair of tries in quick succession.
Kalling-Smith once again made his presence known, forcing his way over the try line after Theodor Karlsson’s break, before David Hill righted his previous mistake to run through with ease.
Those two tries, paired with two accurate conversions from Blanck, reduced the deficit to 28-21.
Keen to bounce back from that brief defensive hiccup, Charlie Simmonds capped off an excellent drive for the islanders, receiving a looping pass to simply place it in the try zone, improving their lead to 35-21 after yet another Penberthy conversion.
The Channel Islands weren’t finished on the half, as Ethan Smith was in prime position to grab one more score, meaning the hosts went into half-time leading 40-21.
“When we went in at half time, attack wasn’t even mentioned as that was functioning well,” said Reynolds.
“It was paramount for us to shore up our defensive efforts and work a bit harder off the ball.”
Following the break, the hosts found another gear, dominating the second half and conceding just one more try.
Just two minutes after the restart, Guernsey hooker Tom Ceilam secured the team’s seventh try, and Penberthy put away the conversion to extend the lead.
Sweden’s lone score of the second half came from No.11 Samuel Ekfeldt, sneaking through the try line after a weaving run from Blanck, who put the conversion away himself to make it 47-28.
Jersey had to wait for their first try scorer of the day, but local star Scott Van Breda delivered in the 61st minute.
The former Reds pro blazed over the white line after making a great interception, placing the ball between the sticks to set up an easy Penberthy conversion.
From there on out, the Islands’ best dominated the game. Dan Barnes, the only player to play for both Islands, thought he got himself on the scoresheet shortly afterwards with a try, but the referee called back play.
Armstrong proved unstoppable on the big day, running Sweden ragged on his way to earn Player of the Match honours.
The Sarnian capped off his stellar performance with yet another try, diving over the line to complete his hat-trick with eight minutes to go.
Caesarean Euan Spencer forced his way over from close range off the bench in the final moments, making it two Jersey scorers.
Even though Penberthy fired in the conversion on the penultimate try, Whitson’s fellow co-captain Lewis Hillier aimed to create a memorable final moment in the last outing of his storied career, stepping up to take the kick, but unfortunately sent the ball wide of the posts.
As the final whistle blew, the Islands’ finest celebrated a 66-28 victory.
Whitson was buzzing about the result, saying: “It was a great performance. Everyone got on well on and off the pitch, so it was a fantastic experience.
“By beating the 31st ranked side, hopefully we’ve made some noise around European and World rugby.
“We’ve laid the foundations of what could be a brilliant fixture moving forward.”
Jersey RFC chairman Dan McAlister was delighted, saying: “Even from watching the livestream, you could feel the atmosphere through the screen. It was a great attendance, and the Channel Islands played incredibly well.
“Everyone is keen to bring the fixture over to Jersey next year, so I’m keen to sit down with everyone, take what we’ve learnt and put on an even bigger event in 2026.”
Channel Islands Starting XV: [1-15] Huw Owen (J), Tom Ceillam (G), Tom Wilson (J), Lewis Hillier (G) (C), Max Ayling (J), Evan Whitson (J) (C), Dom Rice (G), Josh Poullet (G), Sam Boyland (G), Aaron Penberthy (J), Ethan Smith (G), Dan Barnes (J), Scott Van Breda (J), Anthony Armstrong (G), Charlie Simmonds (G).
Replacements: James Burger (G), Joe Ridgway (J), Martinas Dromantas (G), Euan Spencer (J), George Willmott (J), Dale Rutledge (G), Niall McGann (G), Callum Roberts (G).
Sweden Starting XV: [1-15] Viktor Corders, Armir Kozhani, Elias Pettifor, Elias Granath, Oscar Larsson, Linus Ahlgren, Theodor Karlsson, Tezza Vaa Iuta Fryxell, Philip Axelsson, Joar Blanck, Samuel Ekfeldt, Philip Murphy (C), Axel Kalling-Smith (VC), David Hill, Hannes Nylen.
Replacements: Adam Christersson, Christopher Nilserius, Vilhelm Carlsson, Aron Qvarnström, James Cole, Alfred Nordgren, Samuel Ahlbeck.
Channel Islands – 66
Tries: Rice 7’, Armstrong 10’, 27’, 70’, Simmonds 24’, 39’, Smith 40+3’, Ceillam 42’, Van Breda 61’, Spencer 80+3’
Conversions: Penberthy x8
Sweden – 28
Tries: Kalling-Smith 20’, 29’, Hill 34’, Ekfeldt 47’.
Conversions: Blanck x4
HT Score: 40-21
Player of the Match: Anthony Armstrong (GSY)