Five tries in a stunning first-half display paved the way to a
win that gave Island supporters a strong finish to the 2014/15
league campaign, delighting another 2,000-plus crowd at St
Peter.
Jersey registered their first bonus point victory in 33
Championship matches on home soil and in the process were able to
leapfrog the Cornish Pirates and finish seventh in the
end-of-season rankings.
"We'd suffered badly with injuries but the players stayed
focused and had targeted a five-point win," said a happy Head Coach
Harvey Biljon. "The second half did get loose although you
shouldn't underestimate Moseley's fight."
Jersey's rolling maul threatened the visitors from an early
stage and eventually brought a try for Ryan Hodson. Winger Fautua
Otto also showed his pace and finishing skill with a try after good
work by Harry Williams, Drew Locke and Dave Markham, while Sam
Lockwood barged over from close range after taking a pass from
Jonny Bentley.
Jersey were dominant in all areas at this stage, including the
scrum and the breakdown and the visitors had little answer.
After 30 minutes, persistent offending meant a yellow card for
Moseley prop Tom Warren, and straight away Hodson scored a second
try from a rolling maul. Soon afterwards Bentley jinked his way
through a gap and fed Otto for the wing's second try.
A rout was on the cards, but the visitors came out with purpose
after the break, winning a series of penalties and eventually Tom
Owen broke through for a try. Moseley continued to compete and
further well-worked tries from Josh Skelcey and Caolan Ryan
narrowed the deficit to 12 points before Joel Dudley's late try
completed the scoring - the replacement scrum-half took a kick out
of defence by Moseley and raced over in the corner.
Moseley Head Coach Kevin Maggs admitted his team had lacked
intensity after the decisive victory over Plymouth Albion last
weekend that ensured his side's Championship survival.
"We'd had a cup final and put a lot of energy and emotion into
the Plymouth game, which left us a bit flat and dejected," he
said.
Jersey have just one more match to round out the season, the
2015 Ipes Siam Cup match against Channel Island rivals Guernsey
next Saturday.
JERSEY: Penberthy (Burroughs 79), Dawson (Hoskins
64), Locke, Robling (Bishop 53), Otto, Bentley, Fisilau (Dudley
67); Lockwood (Lancuba 53) Garcia-Veiga (Selway 67), Williams,
Campbell, Markham, Rae (c), Hodson, Kaho. Not used:
Haining
MOSELEY: Penn (Thomas 60), Cheshire, Owen, Ryan,
Skelcey, Olver, Brazier; Warren (Voisey 51), Tolmie (Lea 67),
Gardiner, Charlton, Dacres (Siggery 67), Hone (Mason 63), Nutley,
Lawrence. Not used: Brightwell, Brown
REFEREE: David Proctor (RFU)
ATTENDANCE: 2,317
Man-of-the-match (as chosen by match sponsor Nautilus
Trust): Paula Kaho (Jersey)
Half Time: 33-0
Scorers
Jersey
Tries: Hodson 9, 31, Otto 16, 36, Lockwood 26, Dudley
78
Conversions: Penberthy 9, 26, 31, 36, 78
Moseley
Tries: Owen 53, Skelcey 66, Ryan 69
Conversions: Olver 53, 66, 69
