Valiant effort but Bristol too strong

Monday 12 January 2015

Jersey battled hard and were an equal match for Bristol in all areas throughout the afternoon before losing out in agonising fashion in stoppage time as the visitors crossed for a fourth try that ultimately left the Reds empty-handed.

Jersey always knew that they would have to be at their best to compete with table-toppers Bristol, and it was the visitors who were first on the score sheet with a penalty conversion after just four minutes.

Jersey were to take the lead with the first try of the afternoon from a catch and drive move in front of the Bowl at the second attempt. Penberthy's conversion was controversially adjudged to have been blown off course as it went over the top of the near upright, when many observers thought that it was good.

Bristol were to regain the lead through a penalty try after a sustained period of pressure lead to a line out on the Jersey 5m on the roadside. When the driving maul collapsed just short of the line the referee didn't hesitate to stride under the posts and award the score that was easily converted to make it 5-10.

Jersey kept pressing and on the stroke of half-time won a penalty as Bristol were reduced to 14 players with Mosses given a yellow card for a technical offence. Penberthy kicked to the 22 and having won the line-out Jersey passed the ball out to Robling who broke the defence on the blindside before off-loading to Buckle who dived over for the score to level the match at 10 each.

From the restart Bristol looked lively, but Jersey were more than matching the visitors, particularly in set pieces and general forward play. Possession and territory ebbed and flowed and Jersey could have taken the lead with a Penberthy penalty that went wide. Finally the deadlock was broken though as Bristol executed another catch and drive manoeuvre on 5m to drive over and score in front of the Bowl, a score that went unconverted into a fierce wind.

Jersey battled hard to win possession and when presented with penalty opportunities kicked for territory and line-outs. From the second attempt in front of the pavilion, Buckle again found his man and with the full force of the whole pack driving him over it was Hodson that came up with the ball. Penberthy converted and Jersey were back in the lead; 17-15.

With 5 minutes to go, Bristol scored their third try of the afternoon from, you've guessed it, a catch and drive. The conversion was pulled horribly wide and 17-20 was how it was when the clock passed 80 minutes. The killer blow came in stoppage time as Bristol pressed hard. A penalty on half-way lead to a line-out and as the ball was passed out it was Nicky Robinson who broke the Jersey defence to score under the posts. Matthew Morgan added the extras and the final whistle went.

Bristol travel home slightly relieved with maximum points and Jersey now must turn their attention to next weekend's trip to 11th placed Doncaster Knights.