ST BRELADE Sports Club under-18s were beaten 6-1 by Stade Rennais in France last Saturday.

Playing against the French Ligue I club at the Stade André Fresnais à Rennes ground, Jay Thompson netted the Saints’ consolation in the final period of three 30-minute periods played.

Saints coach Martin Munday said: ‘We had a great weekend; Rennes looked after us superbly and although it has to be ratified by their club’s senior management it is hoped they will come to us at the end of this season or early next and probably with a young side.

‘Rennes under-18s were a different class to us, they have several excellent players who are pushing hard for senior team places.

‘The trip was all about making a link with their club and I believe we have achieved that.

It was a great experience for our players and they had the added bonus of meeting Lyon’s first-team squad because they stayed in the same hotel as us prior to playing Rennes on Saturday night.

‘Rennes gave us t-shirts, calendars, pens and posters and they also showed us around the Club’s first-team stadium.

‘We have made several good contacts and hopefully that will be good for our club and the Island.’ All 17 players who went on the trip played, including fifteen-year-olds Liam Walker and Liam Topham.

St Brelade were assisted by MM Fire Alarms, Minibus Direct, 24Seven and Erreapoint.