Crawley V Jersey U14 Boys

Swapping thermals for sunscreen, Crawley presented Jersey with a warm welcome in more ways than one. The 11:00 kick off making the most of glorious sunshine and with the lack of wind conditions were perfect for a game of expansive rugby.

The warm weather suited the Jersey side as they shook off the traditional sluggish start and exploded into life. Capitalising on some loose play and the odd soft shoulder, Jersey were on the board in under a minute. This woke up Crawley and soon an end to end slugfest was being battled out. Ferocious carries by both sides being met by equally fierce tackles.

Jersey chose to play a more expansive game than their hosts, probing their opponents for weakness. Crawley were causing the Jersey defence to creak and groan with their direct powerful running. It was Jersey who were to come away with the reward, direct running drawing defenders, swift hands and excellent support lines created the space Jersey needed, doubling their lead on 14 minutes with additional coming from a very trustworthy boot.

A spurred on Crawley pushed towards the line, met with a robust Jersey defence that held their ground and held the ball up when their line was broken. A whole team effort to keep the hosts at bay. It was from a broken down attack that Jersey were able to capitalise on a scrambling defence, great footwork and awareness finding a way through and dotting down under the posts. This finished a pulsating half with Jersey up 19 - nil.

With the first half embellished by the backs, the forwards were not going to be outdone in the second. The pack battled against their substantial opponents, the Crawley pack bigger man for man. This was made clear during the scrums, with Jersey under pressure each time packs meshed. Cool heads and great communication turned this disadvantage into an advantage as the forwards got their reward. A pick and go by the Jersey no.8 burst through the line, with 80 metres to go it took a monumental show of determination to beat the Crawley backline and score under the posts.

Another pick and go was to credit for next try, deftly picked up as the scrum was creaking. A strong drive and beautifully weighted pop pass in the tackle releasing the charging flanker to burst through again. Additions coming from the boot to make the score a comfortable 31 points to 0.

Crawley to their credit kept pushing and testing the Jersey defence, positive driving gaining ground as the well worked defence tired. The pressure could have easily told and brought Crawley back into the game, but it was not to be. Each time the line beckoned a Jersey shirt was there to deny, holding the ball up two more times in a great display of defensive teamwork.

A set play from a lineout gave Jersey their final try of the afternoon. Quick hands spread the play and created space for the Jersey second row to capitalise on. Once through the first man there was no stopping the no.5 as he powered his way to the line. Two further points were added with great style as the ball soared over.

This dogged display by a tiring Crawley got a justified reward in the dying moments, the Jersey defence breached by series of powerful runs and swift rucks that gave the hosts their first points of the game. Jersey finished as deserved winners, but made to work extremely hard for the victory. Final score Crawley 5 - Jersey 38.

We would like to thank our main sponsor, Santander International for their continued support as well as Jersey Sport for travel grant funding.

C Murray, K Cloete, R Foster, J De Prey, J Bourke, W Felton, J Vaughan, J Lee (C), H Kybett, O Militis, F Murray, B Watson, J Smith, H Edwards, M Le Maistre, C Taylor, M Harris, S Sharman

G Kybett, P Watson, C Wink