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In a painfully similar manner to last week, Jersey rugby fans watched as victory slipped from their fingers despite at one point holding a 17-8 lead.
Right from the off Jersey were battling for dominance with Dave Markham catching the ball from 5 meters out leading to a try from Ryan Hodson. Sadly for the Reds Tommy Bell failed to convert leaving the score at 5-0 only 3 minutes in. Doncaster immediately fought back with a penalty coming 3 minutes later from visiting number 14 Douglas Flockhart. 6 minutes; 5-3 to Jersey.
After 10 minutes Jersey lost one of their props Sam Lockwood to injury. He was replaced by Ignacio Saenz Lancuba, more fondly known as Nacho. Another try for Jersey, this time for Bell, after 16 minutes gave the home crowd something to cheer about, although again Bell’s conversion wasn’t successful.
A try for Doncaster gave the visitors hope just before half time with Matthew Challinor scoring after a good run down the wing from number 11 Tyson Lewis.
Half time and Jersey were leading 10-8. So far it was pretty evenly split with Jersey just edging ahead.
Back on the pitch, and Jersey again scored, this time Jack Burroughs scoring under the posts after great team work from Tommy Bell and Ryan Glynn. Bell successfully converted leaving the score at 17-8 to Jersey with a victory looking more and more likely.
Ill discipline cost Jersey badly, with 5 kickable penalties coming in the last 20 minutes. All were successfully converted, leaving Jersey in the dust and the scoreboard showing 17-23 to the visitors. Hopes were raised for Jersey when in the dying minutes the home side looked likely to score. Sadly the ref called the ball back for obstruction against Doncaster when Mark McCrea had a clear try line in his sights.
The game ended 17-23 to Doncaster – a home match Jersey should really have won.
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