Jersey’s grip on the men’s Muratti Vase was finally broken at the weekend as Guernsey claimed their first win in the inter-insular showdown since 2017.
The defeat ends Jersey’s winning spell across the five previous competitions in 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The Muratti was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.
This weekend, a blistering first-half performance from the home side at Victoria Park saw Guernsey race to a 3-1 lead – a margin Jersey were unable to overcome despite showing glimpses of their attacking threat.
Captain Ross Allen proved decisive for the Sarnians, scoring twice (7′, 34′) and earning Player of the Match honours.
Charlton Gauvain added Guernsey’s second just two minutes after Allen’s opener.
Jersey’s response came through Jake Hinds in the 25th minute, but a comeback proved elusive as the visitors struggled to match Guernsey’s early intensity.
A strong crowd of 3,090 watched on as Guernsey celebrated reducing Jersey’s overall lead in the men’s competition to 59 wins to 48.
Earlier in the day, Jersey’s women were also edged out in a tight contest, as Guernsey retained the women’s Muratti Trophy with a 2-1 victory.
Despite taking the lead through Sam Silva in the 24th minute, Jersey were undone by a rapid Calleigh Hedley brace in the second half (58′, 60′), and a late disallowed goal only added to the frustration.
Over 960 fans were in attendance for the morning kick-off at Victoria Park, where Hedley’s performance earned her Player of the Match honours.
Since the women’s competition was relaunched in 2022, both islands have won it twice – though Jersey still holds the historical edge, with 16 titles to Guernsey’s eight from the 24 editions.
