Jersey Reds run Blues ragged

Friday 21 October 2016

Harvey Biljon's side finally ended their long losing streak as they dismantled Cardiff Blues Select 49-12 with a magnificent seven-try virtuoso performance in the British and Irish Cup.

The tries were shared around with substitute Kieran Hardy scoring twice, although it was Jake Armstrong's try just minutes before the half-time break, after the visitors briefly threatened to challenge, which was the clincher.

George Eastwell also bagged a brace of tries, with Sam Katz and skipper Nick Haining also getting over the line. Incredibly, Brendan Cope kicked all seven conversions as Jersey make a mockery of their recent woeful form.   

Jersey were 14-0 up thanks to a pair of quick fire tries, before the visitors responded with a try of their own in the airport corner. Another Cardiff try and conversion made it a jittery period for Jersey as they led by only two points. But in contrast with previous weeks, Jersey refused to buckle and tries before the break by Eastwell and Armstrong gave them some breathing space.

After the break Jersey ran riot and three more unanswered tries meant it was a crushing win for the Reds after five straight league and cup losses.

Seven tries should give Biljon's players a real shot in the arm, even though the injury list at St Peter continues to grow, with 14 first teamers currently sidelined.     

Last season the B and I Cup was an enjoyable yet agonising competition for the Reds as they reached the semi-finals, only to lose out to Yorkshire Carnegie by just two points. They travel to face the white rose side next weekend desperate for a win following four league defeats in a row and this victory will do their confidence heading into that daunting task the world of good.

Double try scorer Hardy said: "We owed it to the fans. Everything we did was up a gear to what we have done in the past couple of weeks.

"We can take a lot of confidence out of this game and hopefully we can now get a winning streak going.

"It was a team effort tonight and a few of us had to play out of position. The injuries has probably bought us together more as a team. We got through it well.

 "We can only go forward from here and next week is going to be a big challenge."

Coach Biljon said: "If you had asked me at the beginning at the week I would have taken 6-5 as we had 18 fit players. All we wanted to do was play with energy and enthusiasm which the Reds shirt deserves. There was enthusiasm and sheer desire to keep going. The way all the players stood up was exceptional and it all came from a good forward platform. The backs then finished it off.

"It has not been easy but challenges like this that make it all worthwhile. We have not got to make excuses. We have been getting beat, but we are light on the ground. We have got massive belief in ourselves."  

Jersey Reds: Sam Katz, Jack Cuthbert, Regan King, George Eastwell, Jordan Davies, Brendan Cope, Sami Fisilau, Jake Woolmore, Jack Macfarlane, Jake Armstrong, Dave McKern, James Voss, Alex Rae, James Freeman (capt), Nick Haining. Subs: David Felton, Marc Thomas, Chris Pople, Uili Kolo'ofa'i, Max Argyle; Kieran Hardy, Joel Dudley