Jersey Reds catch cup fever

Friday 10 March 2017

Jersey Reds will stage one of the biggest matches in the rugby club's recent history this evening.

The British & Irish Cup quarter-final game against Cornish Pirates will be the first time a knock-out tie of a major rugby tournament has been played in the Channel Islands, and Chairman Mark Morgan says cup fever is growing.

"There's a definite buzz among supporters and players ahead of this one - it should be a fantastic occasion as we play our old rivals for a place in the last four."

However, the Cornish Pirates squad was due to arrive in the Island today on a flight from Exeter - but the fog has badly hit arrivals into the Island, and they will be hoping for a break in the cloud if they are to arrive in time for the crucial fixture. 

A spokesman for Jersey Reds said:

"We're pleased to note that weather conditions on the Island have improved in line with the earlier forecast and that flights have been landing at Jersey Airport since just before 1pm. Three of the match officials have recently landed from Southampton, with two others expected later. We anticipate the current improved conditions should remain in place to allow the Cornish Pirates to land at 4.30pm as scheduled, and as a result it remains very much: GAME ON!"

The B&I Cup is competed for by the 12 clubs from the Greene King IPA Championship plus four provincial sides from both Ireland and Wales. Last season the Reds made the knock-out stages for the first time, defeating Bedford Blues in an away quarter-final before going down to an agonising 33-32 defeat at Headingley to Yorkshire Carnegie.

"Last season we had a great run, although it ended sadly in Leeds by the narrowest margin," Morgan added. "This Friday we hope to have a '16th man' in the team in the form of a passionate home crowd - this can make a real difference to our players."

The game under the floodlights at St Peter won't be easy against the team lying fifth in the Championship table, one point ahead of the Reds; this has been the case for the Cornishmen's last four visits to the Island; Jersey have won on each occasion but always by a narrow margin of two or three points.

The home team go into the match on a run of six straight wins in league and cup dating back to New Year's Day, and their most recent success was in the Championship encounter against the Pirates last Sunday; in muddy, windy conditions at the Mennaye Field in Penzance, the visitors won another tight affair by 7-5.