JERSEY RFC made it 12 wins from 12 thanks to a Charlie Hubert hat-trick, as they battled tough conditions to take down Reading.
After such a dominant performance last week against promotion rivals Tottonians, Myles Landick’s side were looking to avoid a banana skin situation against bottom aide Reading and rung the changes this game, with the likes of Colts player Callum Cuthbert among the many to be called into the side.
This proved to be a master-stroke, however, as it took Cuthbert just three minutes to register the game’s first try and set Jersey on their way.
A second try followed just five minutes later, with Sam Harvey on the end of a nice spell of passing to make the score 12-0 within the first eight minutes. A dominant first half saw just one slight blip, as Roy Godfrey, playing his last-ever game in a Jersey shirt, receive a yellow card around the half-hour mark.
This didn’t affect proceedings, however, and three more tries followed before half-time, with Hubert and Nathan Rogers, twice, going over to take the Islanders into half-time leading 31-0.
The scoring continued in the second half, with Hubert scoring his second of the afternoon after 48 minutes.
Reading were finally able to keep some possession in the second half, and an arm wrestle period continued for the next 20 minutes with both teams defending solidly.
After 70 minutes, Tim Corson broke the stale period with Jersey’s seventh try, and Hubert completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute to make the score 48-0.
The visitors did give their travelling supporters something to cheer about in the dying moments, as they went over to score themselves. The final whistle blew, and Jersey RFC completed their 12th win in a row.
Coach Myles Landick said: “Today was an excellent performance considering the tough conditions.
“Reading were a physical side and we defended well when we needed to. I was pleased to only concede one try.
“It was a great send off for Roy as well. He’s been an incredible servant of Jersey Rugby and we wish him all the very best in his next endeavours.”
When asked about the squad rotation, Landick said: “It was great to have a chance to give some other guys some game time.
“We want to make sure everyone gets time on the pitch, and the guys who came in today were awesome, that was very pleasing.
“Callum Cuthbert was particularly impressive. We named him man of the match and he fully deserved it. To be able to step from the Colts and perform like that in the senior side was impressive.
“It shows how strong our talent pathway is and shows our young players there is a chance of them progressing to the first team.”
Jersey’s next and final game of 2023 is an away trip to eighth-placed Wimborne. But Jersey’s head coach is aware that his team need to keep their standards high.
“We have done well so far,” Landick continued. “But we need to keep our standards high. No game is a given and every game we play, we want turn up on point and prepared to get a result.”
