Jersey gave as good as they got against the unbeaten league
leaders before eventually yielding to two killer late tries. For
much of the match a neutral spectator - not that there were many in
a crowd just above 2,000 - might have struggled to work out which
side was unbeaten in 10 league outings and which had won only twice
in the same period.
With seven minutes to go Jersey's 17-15 lead was cancelled out
by their opponents' third try, and the final act of the match was
another Bristol score, giving the visitors a bonus point they
barely deserved and at the same stroke leaving the home side
empty-handed.
A penalty from the first scrum allowed Matthew Morgan to open
his side's account with a straightforward penalty. Playing into a
stiff wind, Jersey were opting for position when they were awarded
penalties; the first rolling maul was successfully neutered by
Bristol, but a second attempt was more purposeful and Sam Lockwood
claimed the try to put the hosts in front.
Bristol countered with a rumble of their own that culminated in
a penalty try, but after visiting centre Ben Mosses was sin-binned
for an illegal block, Jersey were able to draw level. A powerful
and fleet-footed break by Lewis Robling set up Joe Buckle for the
try shortly before the break.
A scoreless third quarter meant the teams were still locked
together, but Mama claimed a try from a rolling maul to break the
deadlock. Jersey replied with some determined attacking play and
replacement Gaston Cortes became the second Bristol player to see
yellow.
During Cortes' absence, Bristol lost the lead thanks to a Ryan
Hodson try from yet another rolling maul, but then regained it,
with the pack carving out an identikit try, once again claimed by
Mama.
Jersey's efforts to summon up a tying penalty or a winning try
were met by a solid wall of Bristol defenders, and the visitors
were able to work the field position from which Nicky Robinson
sliced through for a try under the posts.
"We deserved more but didn't get it," said Jersey's frustrated
Head Coach Harvey Biljon. "We have to reproduce the commitment and
desire we showed in our next few games and that's when the results
we need will come.
"I don't want to say too much about the refereeing, but I think
that teams at the top of the table get decisions given in their
favour that others in the bottom half of the table do not.
"Joe Buckle in his third game at hooker was very impressive but
the effort from all the players was something I'm proud of, and
there was some great leadership from key individuals who really
stood up when we lost our captain to injury."
Bristol's relief was expressed by Marco Mama after the flanker
claimed a brace of tries.
"Jersey made it very tough for us, as expected, but the boys
stuck together and showed real belief that we could get the win,"
he said. "The crowd really got behind Jersey, but we used their
energy to fire ourselves up."
TEAMS
JERSEY: Pointer, Foster, Bishop, Robling, Locke,
Penberthy (Bentley 76), Dudley (Glynn 54); Lockwood, Buckle,
Williams, Campbell, Phillips (Markham 70), Rae (c) (Noone 34),
Hodson, Haining. Not used: Selway, Lancuba,
Herriott.
BRISTOL: Slowik (Robinson N 54), Short, Tovey,
Mosses (YC 36), Lemi (c), Morgan, Hampson; Traynor, Brooker
(Lawrence 54), Perenise (Cortes 54 - YC 66), Evans (Glynn 62),
Townson, Mama, Robinson O (Koster 76), Eadie. Not used:
Baldwin, Amesbury.
REFEREE: Darren Gamage (RFU)
ATTENDANCE: 2,054
Star man: Matthew Morgan - Bristol
Half Time: 10-10
Scorers
Jersey
Tries: Lockwood 14, Buckle 38, Hodson 67
Conversion: Penberthy 67
Bristol
Tries: Penalty Try 32, Mama 62, 73, Robinson N 80
Conversions: Morgan 32, 80
Penalty: Morgan 4
