JERSEY RFC – 43 (Tries: Cochrane 9′, Bird 37′, Macfarlane 39′, Thompson 48′, 67′, Armstrong 63′, Willmott 74′. Conversions: Boarer 9′, 37′, 46′, 64′)
COLCHESTER – 36 (Tries: Cole 13′, 21′, Varela 31′, 52′, 73′, McCartney 71′. Conversions: Mills 13′, 21′, 56′)
HT Score: 19-19
Player of the Match: Guy Thompson
JERSEY RFC have now well and truly arrived at the national league level.
The masses of spectators at CoinShares Park were treated to an absolute thriller yesterday afternoon, but in a match full of big knocks and even bigger scores, it was Jersey who just had the edge to win 43-36.
After setting the benchmark last week with their enthralling 31-31 draw to the now sixth-placed Henley, the mission was simple – to keep that quality and intensity to go secure the first win of their season.
That certainly resonated with the team, as the boys in red came out all guns blazing to score in the ninth minute and go up, as what looked to be a well-drilled manoeuvre culminated in Harry Cochrane crossing the line and chalking up the day’s first try. A conversion from Mark Boarer meant that they went 7-0 up – what a dream start.
Although Jersey RFC really took the bull by the horns to get up on their rivals early, Colchester were playing themselves more and more into the game each minute and, just four minutes later, their hard work began to pay off.
Ethan Cole proved unstoppable to rack up a pair of tries in the space of eight minutes, scoring the first at minute 13 while the other in the 21st minute.
Jonah Varela, who also was an all-out scoring machine to tally up a remarkable hat-trick for his side, added the first of his trio at the 31st minute.
The high of leading the match early on was beginning to wear off, as Jersy were falling behind. However, Jersey’s team are renowned not just for quality on the field, but also their immense heart, desire and resilience – and that was displayed for all to see.
They may have quickly fallen behind 19-7, but Jersey RFC’s spirits never dampened and their drive remained as intense as ever, with the mission still very much intact.
The heart and desire that Jersey RFC is known for came into play in a big way, as the Caesareans bounced back strongly, with Kade Bird diving over the line first in the 36th minute before Jack MacFarlane blasted his way through just three minutes later.
Add in another conversion from Boarer to then have the score all-square at half-time, at 19-19.
Following the break, there were no signs of the hosts dropping any momentum, as Jersey carried on in the same vein to pounce early once again. This time, it was Guy Thompson who crossed the try line, just eight minutes after play restarted. Boarer remained steady on the set-piece to put away another conversion, making it 26-19.
From there on out (bar Valeria’s try in the 55th minute), Jersey only continued to strengthen their grasp on the fixture. Booming runs through the middle, quick passing and powerful tackles meant that the Islanders were firmly in the driving seat.
The experience of Guy Thompson surely came as a huge asset and he starred on the pitch, producing several highlight moments – his diving pass while trying to avoid the tackle comes to mind – while scoring a pair of tries to stand out in this big team effort.
Lance Armstrong rushed in to add his name on the scoresheet, before Thompson sealed his brace with another try just four minutes later, in the 67th minute, with a Boarer conversion making it 38-19.
Jersey RFC were running away with the match now, but it was not over yet, as Colchester proved they were not out of the game just yet with a try from their own Finley McCartney, but the missed conversion was sure felt by the away team.
Just as Colchester showed signs of resurgence, then came the ever-reliable star that is George Willmott to trounce all over it. Known for his barging runs, Willmott showcased his attacking threat to retaliate in kind with a try of his own, swaying momentum back in their direction.
But at these latter stages, the game evened out once again and it really was anyone’s, making for a blockbuster conclusion. When Varela completed his hat-trick in the 78th minute to make it a one-score game, it became a case of one question – could Jersey hang on?
A last-minute line-out was brimming with tension as the ball hung in the air, building as it dropped down. However, Jersey came down with it, prompting celebrations and sighs of relief around the ground.
Once the whistle blew, CoinShares Park came alive like I had never seen before, with loud bangs on the boards, applause and cheers driving up the volume to punch a hole in the sky.
Now this team has chalked up the first win, confidence will be high and hopes will be boosted, which will certainly be needed next week for their away match-up with the third-placed side Old Albanians.
