IN theory it should have been a straightforward task for the league leaders to defeat the side propping up the table.
In fact high-flying Jersey RFC were made to scrap until the final whistle by the plucky visitors from Hammersmith & Fulham before eventually claiming their 18th straight win of 2025/26.
Jersey RFC 28
Tries: Boarer 10, Barnes 27, Van Breda 54, Sexton 70
Cons: Penberthy x4
Hammersmith & Fulham 21
Tries: Russell 4, 38, Carolan 22
Cons: Carolan x3
HT: 14-21
Attendance: 990
Referee: Ollie Parsons
Yellow Cards: Morgan (H&F) 53′ / Penberthy (JRFC) 56′
Player of the Match: Tom Wilson
Pleased to be running out on a dry, bright day and with an expectant crowd of almost a thousand, the home side were looking to attack from the outset, but were also showing inaccuracy.
The game was just four minutes old when wing Timmy Russell pounced to intercept a Jersey attack and sprinted to the posts.
Spurred into action, the home side mounted some sustained pressure with a series of attacks at close quarters before Aaron Penberthy fired a beautifully-judged cross-kick to Mark Boarer, who fielded the ball skillfully inside the dead-ball area for the try.
Hammersmith were keen to show that their opening score hadn’t been a one-off and were showing an ability to compete upfront against a Jersey pack used to outpowering most opponents.
Centre Joe Carolan joined an attacking maul and touched down for his side’s second try on 24 minutes, although once again the lead lasted barely five minutes before the men in red pressed again at the other end and Dan Barnes broke through to score.
The Hammers broke the deadlock for the third time in the closing stages of the half, with Russell once again pouncing on a Jersey handling error and Carolan’s third conversion securing a 21-14 lead at the break.
After a scrappy opening to the second period, the men in red began to crank up the pressure, forcing a series of penalties that eventually brought a yellow card for visiting full-back Bryce Morgan and then a try for Scott Van Breda after the ball was fed wide from an attacking maul. Penberthy’s excellent conversion – his third of the day – tied the scores again.
Both full-backs found themselves in the sin-bin soon afterwards. After Russell once again burst through and looked set to complete a hat-trick, he was hauled down just short and Penberthy was shown yellow for an illegal attempt to kill the ball.
Although it meant losing a player for ten minutes, the “professional foul” did succeed in blunting the visitors’ attack and JRFC were eventually able to clear their lines after a penalty at the scrum, an area where they had begun to dominate.
Both sides showed attacking intent to grab a fourth try, but it was Jersey who secured it in the 70th minute, straight after Penberthy returned. It was a forward-driven effort, with a series of phases that culminated in Jerry Sexton forcing his way over to give his side the lead for the first time.
In the closing stages, the home side sought to secure the result with a final score, but with just a minute to go they conceded a penalty close to the Hammersmith line.
The visitors roused themselves for a final burst, moving steadily up the field in search of a potentially tying score. Spectators chewed their fingernails and screamed for a last effort in defence as the attacking side reached the Jersey 22, then cheered with relief as the ball was lost into touch and the final whistle blew.
To see the league table, fixtures and results from all games this weekend, click here; https://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/search-results?competition=261&season=2025-2026&team=11098&division=66524#tables
Squads
Jersey RFC: [15-9] Aaron Penberthy; Mark Boarer, Dylan Stocks, Dan Barnes, Fergus Ludlam; Scott Van Breda, Liam Rhodes; [1-8] Joe Ridgway, Jack Macfarlane, Tom Wilson, Cam Keys, Toby Osborne, Evan Whitson (c), Jerry Sexton, Tim Grey. Replacements: Huw Owen, Tom Tilstone, Bevan Biggs
Hammersmith & Fulham: [15-9] Bryce Morgan; Tim Russell, Marshall Macleod, Joe Carolan, Charlie Scott; Ted Shand, Ben Dugdale; [1-8] Zak Underwood, Dan Hostetler, Jacob Pulton, Dan North, Dan Perry, Seb Rivett, Dan Whittaker, Tommy Proctor (c). Replacements: Andrew Rogan, Josh Asafu-Adjaye, Chris Thompson.
