Lower School Jersey Sports Tour

On Friday 13th March our U11 rugby team left Bristol airport for Jersey. We arrived to find blue skies and golden sands; it truly was an idyllic setting. Soon after arriving, the boys had the opportunity to let off some steam in a football tournament against Victoria College Prep. Our boys competed well and enjoyed themselves, but the opposition (being regular users of a round ball) proved too strong for us.

After the football we settled into our accommodation at the Girls’ Brigade (they weren’t there, much to the disappointment of some of our boys). After dinner the plan was to have an early night, in preparation for the rugby tournament the next day; our boys had other ideas, deciding it was a better idea to totally empty their suitcases and chat!

The next morning two bleary eyed teachers were awakened by children running past them playing ‘tag’ at 6:00am. Remaining very cool, Mr Barwell explained that it was essential Mr Weavers got his beauty sleep; the boys agreed.

After breakfast we played in the St Michael’s school rugby tournament. We won our first match but lost our next two. All the matches were very close and going into the last round of matches any one of the schools could have still won the competition. The boys played well but missed crucial tackles which cost us dearly. In the afternoon we visited St Helier and then went to ‘Aqua splash’, where Kieran Long just beat Mr Barwell in a race down the water slides. Mr Barwell said it was unfair because he spun round in the tunnel and got frightened (apparently his screams could be heard in Guernsey!).

In the evening we went for dinner in Pizza Express, in a stunning location overlooking the bay. Congratulations to the five boys who passed the ‘Diavolo’ pizza challenge. It was here that the boys made some startling revelations to their teachers. Unfortunately, what happens on tour stays on tour.

On our final morning we were hosted by Jersey rugby club. We played two matches against them, losing our first and drawing our second (sadly, they scored with the last play of the match). After lunch we played games on the beach, in glorious sunshine, before heading to the airport for our flight home.

It was an extremely enjoyable tour and the boys were a real credit to their parents and to Colston’s. Many thanks to the parents who travelled to support us, it really added to the atmosphere. Finally, many thanks to Mr Weavers for organising such a successful visit. It was very much appreciated by all the travelling party (unlike his speedos!)

O Barwell