More than 600 children took part in more than 40 rugby games as part of the Junior Siam Festival on Saturday.
Guernsey Rugby Academy called it “one of the Channel Islands’ most anticipated youth sporting events … showcasing the very best of grassroots rugby”.
The games involved children aged 7 upwards, playing across the Footes Lane pitches.
There were 43 matches played in total on Saturday with Guernsey teams winning 18 of them. Three of the matches ended in a draw with Jersey therefore winning 22 outright.
Guernsey’s Colts, the under 16 girls, the under 15 boys, the under 14 girls, the under 14 boys, and the under 13 boys all won their matches.
Jersey dominated the matches between younger teams but some of the scorelines were very close between the inter island rivals.
Bethan Haines, Academy Chair, said the festival closed a busy season for the Academy and provided a unique opportunity for young athletes to represent their island in a competitive but community-focused setting.
“The Junior Siam is the highlight of the rugby season for our players and we love hosting our friends and rivals from Jersey,” she said. “Our volunteers put a huge amount into making it a fantastic day for our young people and their families with our rugby values on show. A big thank you to Pentera Trust for sponsoring the Junior Siam event and to our main sponsors – Grant Thornton – for their continued support. The day wouldn’t happen without them.”
Ed Bayman, Director of Pentera Trust, added: “We are proud and excited to sponsor the Junior Siam Cup for a second year as over 600 players and hundreds more volunteers and supporters join together in a spirited and fun festival of rugby that means so much to all those involved.”
The junior event forms a key part of the wider Siam Cup celebrations, one of the oldest rugby competitions in the world, with the senior matches due to be played in Guernsey later this month.