Barking (H) 05.11.11

Jersey 51 Barking 21
SSE National League One
By Tom Innes

Jersey Head Coach Ben Harvey shared the excitement of the home fans as his team put Barking to the sword with a thrilling display.

"I sensed at half-time a big score could be on and I was very pleased to put the game to bed at an early stage," Harvey said. "We've had some injuries, but the team has settled, gelled well and those who haven't been playing are finding it hard to break back in."

Barking Vice-President and record England cap holder Jason Leonard watched the game and praised the home team's display.

"Jersey were always a good couple of scores ahead no matter what we did. It was competitive - games in this league always are - but Jersey played really well in front of a good crowd."

The visitors were first on the scoreboard when Jersey full back James Copsey fumbled an awkwardly-bouncing ball and Chris Ashwin was quickest to react, racing through before touching down and converting his own try.

Mike Le Bourgeois steadied Jersey nerves with two penalties and saw a third effort hit the crossbar, and the hosts took the lead when Copsey found Donovan Sanders with a well-timed pass and the centre crossed for the try.

The try was the only concession by Barking during a 10-minute spell without lock Dan Smith following some argy-bargy, but towards the end of the first period Jersey stretched their lead with quick hands by Steve O'Brien and Dai Bishop putting Copsey in.

Leading by 13 points, Jersey really lit the blue touchpaper after half-time with 21 unanswered points in 10 minutes. Livewire flanker Guy Thompson scored virtuoso tries either side of a Le Bourgeois touchdown where the fly half gathered a loose ball and jinked his way over.

Barking's pack were suffering in the scrum, but took advantage of a drop in tempo by the hosts to drive upfield. Replacement full back Frankie Neale played a prominent role with some penetrating running from deep. The penalty count started to go in the Londoners' favour and they twice crossed from catch-and-drive efforts to raise hopes of a bonus point.

Back row replacements Nick Trower and Kingsley Lang combined in a 70-metre attack for Jersey's final score and the Le Bourgeois' conversion completed a 26-point haul, with only one missed kick.

Barking's captain for the day Andrew Henderson, returning to the club where he was ever-present in 2010/11, praised Jersey's display.

"Once they got into their stride we were powerless to stop Jersey and the quick tries after half-time finished us off. Thompson and Le Bourgeois ran the game for them," he said.

JRFC Man-of-the-Match (as chosen by Match Sponsor IFM Trust and presented by Jason Leonard): Mike Le Bourgeois

Rugby Paper Star Man: Guy Thompson (Jersey)

Jersey
Tries: Sanders 21, Copsey 31, Thompson 41, 50, Le Bourgeois 47, Lang 79
Conversions: Le Bourgeois 21, 31, 41, 47, 50, 79
Penalties: Le Bourgeois 8, 13, 71

Barking
Tries: Ashwin 5, Burns 58, Dwyer 65
Penalty: Ashwin 5, 58, 65

HT: 20-7
Attendance: 1,876

Yellow card: Dan Smith (Barking)

Jersey: Copsey, Maggs, Bishop, Sanders, Dawson, Le Bourgeois, McCormack, Landick, Clyde-Smith, Evans, Hannay, Brownrigg, O'Brien S, Thompson, Bell (capt). Replacements: Brennan, Trower, Turner, O'Brien B, Lang.
Barking: Nelson, Broughton, Henderson (capt), Burcham, Hardy, Ashwin, Gash, Mullins, Bloomberg, Ambrose E, Burns, Smith, Ngan, Reynolds, Dwyer. Replacements: Ambrose F, Kavanagh, Kersey, Davey, Neale.
Referee: Johann van der Merwe

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Jersey Rugby Football Club, Rue des Landes, St Peter JE3 7BG
Tel: 01534 499929 | Email: jerseyrugby.club@jerseymail.co.uk

JRFC are very grateful for the support of the Wooden Spoon charity who helped fund improvements to provide wheelchair access to the pavilion.