Jersey Athletic 7 British Army 31
The first-ever fixture between a Jersey XV and the British Army was
an entertaining affair under floodlights at St Peter.
Watched by a crowd of around 500 people, the two sides fought out
an even contest until the military men pulled away in the last
three minutes, with two converted tries giving the scoreline a
one-sided appearance.
Both squads were introduced to Jersey's Lieutenant-Governor,
General Sir John McColl, prior to kick-off. The amateur ranks of
Jersey Athletic were supplemented by six players from the
Championship squad, including four professionals, but the scratch
nature of the side was belied by some bold attacking and robust
defence throughout the team.
Early pressure from Jersey came to nothing, with an attacking
lineout lost and a cross-kick to the corner just not falling for
winger Brian Rennison. Athletic number 8 Nick Trower also announced
himself with some trademark barrelling runs.
The opening score came when Tobias Hoskins burst through close to
the posts, Joel Dudley adding a straightforward conversion.
After handling errors left the Army side unable to register on the
scoreboard, fly-half James Dixon opted to kick a penalty goal to
get his side moving. Shortly before the break the visitors declined
a similar opportunity and attacked, although this was almost their
downfall as Dudley intercepted and burst 50 metres before being
hauled down in what was the final phase of the first half.
There was no let-up in intensity as the second half got underway,
with plenty of attacking thrusts from both sides and some strong
defence. The visitors were beginning to find their form however,
and won several penalties. After one award the Jersey side seemed
to stop playing, while an Army cross-kick allowed winger Tamatawale
to score his team's first try.
Not only did Dixon convert with aplomb from the touchline, but
within a minute he had a try of his own when the Army attacked from
the restart and the ball passed through an estimated eight pairs of
hands before the fly-half touched down.
Jersey could have countered through a Hoskins interception that
ended with the centre being tackled just short, and there was also
some some more good running from Rennison and replacements Tim
Corson and Simon Johnson.
Fitness eventually came into play in the closing stages. As the
referee signalled four minutes remaining, Jersey were still just 10
points down, but the visitors had gas in the tank: a rolling maul
rumbled over the line, finished by Luke Robinson, and when it was
deemed there was just enough time to restart another Army
replacement, Darius Hamilton, also scored. Dixon's conversion
completed a flawless haul of 16 points.
The friendly fixture, which included a good social element in the
JRFC Clubhouse after the final whistle, was arranged at short
notice after the cancellation of a game by an English club and an
approach to JRFC, forms part of the Army side's preparations ahead
of the annual Inter-Services Championship that takes place in April
and May, and more specifically The Babcock Trophy against the Navy
that forms part of that competition and will be played at
Twickenham on May 9th.
The match was part of a 'Military double' this month for Jersey
Athletic, who will also be contesting the traditional Wilkes Cup
match against the Royal Artillery on Sunday March 22nd.
The two tight-head props, Jon Brennan and Chris Budgen
JERSEY: Jacob Carter, Stephen de ste Croix, Jon
Brennan, John Allo, Kingsley Lang (capt), Graham Bell, Gary Graham,
Nick Trower; Ryan Glynn, Joel Dudley, Jay Hosty, Ross Allan, Tobias
Hoskins, Brian Rennison, Sam Fuller. Replacements: Andy
Pitcher, David Day, Chris, Harry Chinn, Tim Corson, Kaisa Leota,
Brendan O'Brien, Brian De Figuerado, Henry Frost, Sion Williams,
Dominic Mayo, Bryn Edwards, Simon Johnson, Nathan Kemp
Referee: Bob Le Brocq
Attendance: 500
Scorers
Jersey
Try: Hoskins 24
Conversion: Dudley 24
Army
Tries: Tamatawale 52, Dixon 54, Robinson 78, Hamilton
80
Conversions: Dixon 52, 54, 78, 80
Penalty: Dixon 34
