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 Jersey Tour 2003 Match Reports                                                

Sunday's Report   Monday's Report  Tuesday's Report Wednesday's Results Thursday's Results Friday's Results

Morning

Gloucester opened their 2003 Jersey Festival Programme with a 3-0 defeat at the hands of a strong Thurrock outfit.

An evenly contested first half saw Dean volley just over and Twyman shoot straight at the keeper as Gloucester gave as goof as they got. Right on the interval whistle Vigers gave the Essex side the lead following a left wing cross plus straight after the break they added a second. 

Having lost influential defender Coldray to injury, Gloucester 's woes were compounded when McCormick limped off with a heel problem and for several minutes were down to just ten players while Hanley needed treatment.

Appleyard netted direct from a free kick for Thurrock's third after two headed chances for Gloucester went begging, but the team remained competitive to the end to prevent any further scoring.

There were some solid performances from the city side with Wilson in particular turning in a fine defensive display and Montgomery and Dowdeswell also doing well despite the defeat. 

Afternoon

The headland of La Corbiere was our first port of call with most people involved in a scrambling trail around the rocks before engaging in a Canute-like attempt to suppress the incoming tide, like the good old king himself - they failed - and the attempts of Coldray and Artus in particular to put themselves up as human shields against the incoming tide proved equally fruitless.

Swimming next at Las Quevennais and a relax in the Jacuzzi to relieve aching (and in some cases injured) limbs was followed by dinner and the rare phenomenon of both Hanley and Beast cleaning their plates was witnessed by a number of amazed onlookers. Burrows, Coldray, Wilson and Dowdeswell currently lead the Eating League with Hayes and Gollum just behind. The race for the coveted title of 'Top Jersey Eater' is well and truly on.

Photographs from Today will be included tomorrow. For Match reports, group tables and an update on how well people are filling their stomachs tune in to this page on Monday evening (approx 10pm). 

Sunday's Result

Group A

Sutton Coldfield 1 Newbury A 4;  Bishop Auckland 1 Chiltern 1;  Plymouth 6  Barking 0.

Group B

Walsall 1  Reading 0;  Orpington 1  Jersey 1;   Hackney 4  Newbury B 1. 

Inter Group Game

Gloucester 0  Thurrock 3

Morning

Gloucester bounced back from yesterday's defeat by Thurrock to record an excellent victory over the West Midlands champions Sutton Coldfield.

The pace of the Sutton forwards was evident from the word go, but the central defensive combination of Hayes, Montgomery, Dowdeswell and Wilson were both organised and competitive to quell the threat. Gloucester went ahead after eight minutes, Twyman releasing Dean just inside the opposition half and the city team's leading scorer outpaced two defenders and lobbed the keeper for a quite magnificent score.

Dean then returned the favour for Twyman but his effort drifted just wide before Campbell produced a fine save to turn Denton's free kick over the bar.

Gloucester extended their lead 10 minutes after the break. Artus played the ball down the line for Twyman who beat his man before crossing for Dean to add his second.

It was almost hat trick line when Dean's well struck volley following neat work from Kitt, Burrows and Twyman, was turned onto the post by the keeper before being scrambled away by the Sutton defence. The third goal was not long in coming however. The hard working Hanley was fouled on the edge of the box and Dowdeswell stepped up to rifle his first goal of the season  into the top corner, much to his and his team-mates obvious delight.

Afternoon

After negotiating the steep descent to Plemont Bay only to find the tide was in, Coldray proceeded to amuse the onlookers by being soaked by every other wave.

A quick drive round the headland brought us to Greve de Lecq, the sandy beach providing a fine venue for football, cricket and volleyball - though the wicket in all fairness provided little bounce for the pace bowler. Play was eventually abandoned for the day not so much because it was twenty to six, but because the incoming tide had washed away most of the mid-wicket area.

Eating is continuing to be of a high standard apart form Beast that is. Hanley is making huge progress in the digestive stakes, and has now consumed more in the last two days than in the previous eleven years of his life.

Eating league (to Monday 8pm); 30pts Wilson, Coldray, Dowdeswell, Burrows; 29 Montgomery, Hayes; 28 Campbell; 27 Artus; 26 Kitt; 25 Hanley; 24 Twyman; 20 McCormick, Dean.  

Monday's Results

Group A

Sutton Coldfield 0  Gloucester 3;  Plymouth 3  Newbury A 0;  Barking 3  Chiltern 2.

Group B

Orpington 1  Hackney 3;  Jersey 1  Walsall 2;  Reading 1  Thurrock 2.

Inter Group Game

Bishop Auckland 3  Newbury B 1.

Morning

A cracking game against group leaders Plymouth eventually ended in a goalless draw, but it was Gloucester who came closest to securing all three points.

The Devon side shaded the first half but with Hayes and Montgomery dominant at centre back, Wilson covering well and wing backs Artus and Kitt continuing their recent good form, Campbell didn't have a direct save to make.

After the break Gloucester pushed forward and Smith was forced to grab Artus' drive at the second attempt with Dean closing in Dean then crashed a header from Hanley's corner against the bar, Montgomery and substitute McCormick fired over and Twyman was crowded out by the Devon side's resolute defence. Wilson countered each of Plymouth's breakaway raids leaving Campbell a virtual second half spectator, but it was the City team who ended well on top but unable to find the breakthrough. 

Afternoon

Miniature golf at the Living Legend saw Twyman, Dowdeswell, Burrows and Hickey each netting a hole in one, Montgomery sending his ball into the lake, Dowdeswell proving himself the best golfer and Gollum adding the 'Worst Golfer' title to his the ' Worst ten pin bowler' award received in the Isle of Wight. While eating ice creams afterwards it was declared the Blue Team had won, but quite what that means no-one knows.

Back to the hotel with the popular vote meaning the Metropole's indoor and outdoor pools won the day over the beach while the Games room proved to be a popular apres-swim prior to dinner.

Tuesday's Results

Group A

Bishop Auckland 6 Sutton Coldfield 6;  Gloucester 0  Plymouth 0;  Newbury A 0  Barking 3. 

Group B

Walsall 2  Hackney 1;  Reading 2 Orpington 0;  Thurrock 2  Newbury B 1; 

Inter Group Game

Chiltern 1  Jersey 4.

Morning

A Ryan Dean strike four minutes form time salvaged Gloucester a draw against a talented Barking & Dagenham side in their fourth festival outing.

Barking began well and were on top throughout most of the first half, through their possession failed to produce a clear scoring opportunity due once again to the fine work of the Gloucester defence in which Montgomery in particular put in an excellent display.

The game opened up slightly more after the interval, Conorfaires firing inches over for Barking and Twyman seeing his effort saved by the keeper. With 11 minutes remaining, Ryan Neborn broke away to score a fine individual goal, but just as it seemed as if that would be enough to win the game, Twyman combined well with Dean who slotted in the equaliser.

Afternoon

A visit to Jersey Zoo in sweltering temperatures to see a whole variety of endangered species - though it was questionable whether there were more beasts in the eclosures than outside them. Everyone had a chance to stroke a snake, though there were few traces of any Gollums in the reptile house.

Next up was St Ouen (Five Mile) bay, where Hayes Construction failed miserably to halt the inrushing tide, much to the detriment of anyone's clothes and travels that were placed anywhere near his 'wall' if there are no pictures on the web site, it's because the digital camera was there too.

Dowdeswell has now dropped out of the hundred percent eating group, though Wilson, Coldray and Burrows shows no signs of releasing their grip on everything that's edible and most things that aren't.

Wednesday's Results

Group A

Chiltern 4  Sutton Coldfield 0;  Barking 1  Gloucester 1;  Newbury A 2  Bishop Auckland 1

Group B

Newbury B 1 Walsall 2;  Jersey 3  Thurrock 1;  Reading 2  Hackney 1.

Inter Group

Plymouth 3  Orpington 0

Morning

Gloucester notched up their second victory of the Festival as three second half goals accounted for Bishop Auckland.

The city team dominated the first half but their neat passing moves failed to open up the Durham side's defence on more than a couple of occasions. When they did, Dean struck a post after Burrow's drive was fumbled, while Twyman's well struck effort was equally well saved by the Auckland keeper.

On the few occasions the northerners threatened, Montgomery and Wilson continued their impressive form to set up Twyman who ended his recent goal drought with the neatest of finishes.

A fine run and cross by Artus gave McCormick the opportunity to head home the second at the far post and the third arrived shortly afterwards.

Hayes, Kitt, McCormick and Hanley were each involved in a sweeping move which ended with Twyman driving the ball into the far corner.

Coldray made a cameo appearance for the last few minutes during which time Gloucester played their best football of the tour to complete a thoroughly deserved victory. 

Afternoon

Portlet one of the most picturesque bays on the island saw Hayes construction move into gear once again, but this time he and his twelve helpers successfully completed their project of building a swimming pool on the beach before half of them dived through it.

Back to the hotel to use a slightly more professionally made pool while the table tennis talents of a number of GPSFA players were paraded in the games room. Earlier, efforts to sell Gollum to Plymouth failed to materialise despite the player signing on the dotted line and Gloucester handing over £1 for the transfer fee. Matters broke down however when the keeper discovered the pound was actually his own and such was his discontent that a Newbury bid of five times that amount was also rejected by the player.

Thursday's Results

Group A

Sutton Coldfield 1  Barking 4;  Bishop Auckland 0 Gloucester 3;  Chiltern 2 Plymouth 2.

Group B

Thurrock 2 Walsall 1;  Hackney 0  Jersey 4;  Newbury B 1 Orpington 2.

Inter Group Game

Newbury A 5  Reading 0.

Morning

Gloucester ended their festival programme on a low note as they slipped to a disappointing defeat against Reading. 

After dominating possession for much of the first half, a defensive error allowed Reading forward Downs to race clear before beating Campbell with a low shot into the corner.

More defensive hesitation let in Cutbush for a second shortly after the interval before Twyman reduced the arrears after Dean's effort was saved.

Cutbush added added Reading's third with six minutes remaining and though Dean struck a post late on, Gloucester rarely threatened to salvage anything from a lacklustre display.

Afternoon

Plemont Bay probably the most spectacular place on the island, provided the venue for more water sports, pool building, rock pooling and sand digging.

The shop did a roaring trade in crabbing nets and plastic spades before a return to the swimming pool (very popular this year) followed by the Festival dinner at the hotel.

Friday's Results

Inter Group Play-offs

Plymouth 0 Thurrock 1;  Barking 2 Walsall 1; Gloucester 1 Reading 3;                                  Sutton Coldfield 4 Newbury B 1; Orpington 3 Bishop Auckland 1; Newbury A 0 Jersey 0; Hackney 1 Chiltern 1.

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