JERSEY REDS’ director of rugby Harvey Biljon was full of praise for quick-thinking officials and medical staff who rushed to the aid of a collapsed spectator at Hartpury.
The Championship clash between the two clubs was stopped and eventually abandoned after just 73 minutes of play on Saturday afternoon, with the Reds subsequently awarded a 40-31 victory.
Biljon said: ‘I’ve got to commend how quickly the medical teams responded. In less than 50 seconds the doctors and medics were looking after [the spectator].
‘Myself and the other coaches took the right approach where the health and safety perspective was the most paramount with everything else going on, especially when the medical support team had to come onto the field.
‘The referee made the right call and it was a difficult position, I was in the situation where we’re leading so I must commend Hartpury’s coaches – on how they dealt with the situation.
‘We took ten minutes before seeing if the result would stand as we’d gone beyond the 60-minute mark. From a Jersey perspective, our concern was making sure we could fly back to Jersey as planned and also not wanting to be in a situation where we have to come back again.
A Hartpury spokesman confirmed the spectator ‘was taken to hospital conscious’. It is understood he was still under observation at the Gloucester Royal Hospital last night.
The incident did not prevent Jersey Reds from gaining their fourth league win in a row – and a three successive away league wins for the first time in three seasons.
Biljon was frustrated at the number of errors by his players, which resulted in them trailing 31-19 before a three-try fight back sealed the win. However, he believes a third consecutive bonus-point victory shows how dangerous they are in attack, while ‘building momentum at the right time’.
‘That 15 minutes after Hartpury went ahead was some very good play from us and you could see how when we’re on song and we all come together we look a pretty dangerous team.’
A Jersey Reds spokesperson said: ‘Our thoughts remain with the man and his family and friends, who were thankful for the prompt action by medical staff from both clubs to provide immediate assistance.’
Full report in Monday’s JEP.
