JERSEY RFC’s age-group sides graced their respective fields again, with all three sides recording promising results, further highlighting the strength and depth of the St Peter-based club.
Pulborough 14 – 17 JRFC Colts
JRFC Saltgate Colts were on the road again to Pulborough for the second match of their premiership campaign.
Sickness meant they only travelled with two replacements, for a match played in awful weather conditions.
In spite of this, Jersey put their opponents under pressure from the off.
With kicking not an option because of the brutal wind against them, the team needed disciplined passing and hard yards.
With the wind behind and a favourable slope, Pulborough kicked a number of balls to the far-right corner, which Jersey resolutely defended until Pulborough broke through after ten minutes for their first try, duly converted for a 7-0 lead.
Jersey got on with the job, put their heads down and trundled their way up the incline to Pulborough’s line, where sustained pressure resulted in a home side yellow card.
Jersey’s reward came five minutes later, as Max Sayers scored a well-worked try to cut the deficit to just two points.
Once again, despite the atrocious conditions, Jersey managed to turn the screw that resulted in a second yellow for the home side.
Sustained pressure and excellent passing saw Lance Armstrong break through to score Jersey’s second try, to take a 7-10 lead with just four minutes to play.
Pulborough hit back with a converted try, however, which saw them take a narrow 12-10 lead into the second-half.
Being just two points down in those conditions felt more like a first-half victory for Jersey, as they readied themselves to take advantage of the wind in the second half.
However, on returning, the wind dropped and the rain stopped.
Pulborough’s defence remained resolute until 20 minutes into the half, when, after a period of pressure on their line, Jersey worked the ball out to Michael Dearsley to dive over for a try, which he converted to take the Islanders to a well-deserved victory.
As ever, a big thank you to sole sponsor Saltgate and M&Js sponsor Santander International.
JRFC Colts: Ze-Luca Piazza, Dylan Ventura, Daniel Rodrigues, Jules Isherwood, Dakarayi Sithole, Christian Lotz, Oliver Walker, Max Sayers, Oliver Sayers, Charlie Fraser (captain), Quentin Fevrier, Lance Armstrong, Zak Le Marquand, Shane O’Brien, Zac Cloete, Byron Major and Michael Dearsley
Coaches & Management: Tim Grey, Lewis Wynne and Don Gardener
Heathfield 7 – 12 JRFC U16s
The U16’s travelled to Heathfield for their first game of the season, which was to be played in similarly horrendous conditions. A day for the forwards saw Jersey defending inside their 22 early.
Good work at the breakdown won Jersey a penalty, which they kicked to the corner and, from the line out, a driving maul was formed and Alex Powell went over for the first try.
Lyle Pritchard added the conversion, giving the Islanders a 7-0 lead.
Heathfield came back hard, but excellent tackling from the Jersey backs ensured that forward progress was difficult.
Again, Jersey kicked well out of hand to gain field position and set up camp on the Heathfield try line.
A short ball to Ollie Houghton saw him dive over for the second score, and jersey went in at half-time 12-0 up.
Heathfield upped the tempo and physicality after the restart, with their number 8 powering through to score a converted try.
Jersey found themselves a man down with ten minutes to go, after a yellow card meant a difficult finish was in store.
Ollie Houghton saved the day with an incredible challenge to hold the ball up and save a try for his side.
Jersey won the ball from the ensuing scrum and ran down the clock to take the win 12-7, with Cole Gueno awarded player of the match for Jersey after a tireless display.
Jersey RFC U16s: Alexander Powell Arthur Mangematin ( Captain) Cole Gueno Dexter Frigot Ethan Nicolle James Molteno Jamie White Joseph Griffiths Louis Pallant Lyle Pritchard Oliver Houghton Oliver Bell Sonny Barrow Stellan Tonsberg Thomas Edey Toby Harris Tomasz Dobrowolski Will Wilson William Richardson
Coaches & Management: Manager Nigel Higginson Coaches Tim Macready Simon Le Moignan
JRFC U14s 12 – 12 Hastings & Bexhill
A titanic battle was expected in the top-of-the-table clash against hosts Hastings and Bexhill in more torrential weather.
Like two heavyweight champions, both teams probed, as Jersey started to edge the battle early.
Camped in the Hastings and Bexhill 22, the Jersey pressure was piling on.
Dominant carries broke the line and caused the well-structured defence to scramble.
Quick thinking sent Jersey towards the line with grit, determination and an outstretched hand to open the scoring.
Extras were added by the boot in exceptional style from the 15m as the ball sailed through the posts, despite the horrendous conditions.
The work rate in defence by the whole Jersey squad ensured the game was played in the opponents half.
Jersey was able to capitalise on a loose ball and used this opportunity to mount another sustained attack. Once again, the Hastings line was broken as Jersey increased their lead.
A foot race looked to have been won by Jersey until a spectacular covering tap tackle rescued the hosts and kept the score to a 12-point advantage for the Islanders at half-time.
The hosts gathered themselves at the break and made a statement of intent, as their fresh legs made Jersey’s defence work.
With the game finely poised, a try for Jersey would surely win it; a try to the opposition would set up a grandstand finish.
It was to be the latter, as clever play from the half unleashed explosive runners, stretching the Jersey defence and opening their scoring.
A frantic end to the game was to come, as a sustained period of pressure saw Jersey creep over the line, but the celebrations were not to last, as the referee signalled that the ball was held up.
Pushed on by this scare, Hastings and Bexhill countered with ferocity, a series of small infringements from Jersey giving both the ball and position away.
With the clock ticking down, a ball out wide would split the Islanders’ defence and clever play from the wide player stepping inside to give the kicker a better chance at the conversion, which sailed over to level the scores.
Jersey RFC U14s: K Cloete, J Vaughan, R Foster, J De Prey, A Crocker, T Stockley, W Felton, J Lee [c], H Journeaux [vc], W Spry, E Bosio, J Smith, A Abdelmoati, F Murray, O Militis Subs: R Philips, H Edwards, S Sharman
Coaches & Management: Manager M Lee Coaches M Journeaux, C Wink
Jersey RFC U14s and U16s thanked main sponsors Santander International for their continued support, as well as Jersey Sport for travel grant funding, while Jersey RFC Colts also thanked their main sponsors, Saltgate.
