No sympathy from Thomas as his tries sink old pals

YORKSHIRE Carnegie produced a controlled second half performance to claim four valuable league points, with former Jersey prop Marc Thomas crossing twice.

Head coach Jimmy Lowes praised a solid display by his side to battle their way back into the game: “We said at halftime that we wanted to come out after the break and not panic, not worry about the scoreboard and organise some field position.

“It was scrappy, but we were playing at the right end of the pitch and didn’t give Jersey any opportunities. It’s a tough place to come and we’d been well-beaten here before so getting the win is a real confidence boost after a couple of below-par displays.”

The hosts scored first when lineout ball was fed to the backs, with Tom Pincus coming into the line at pace to take a pass from Brendan Cope. Pincus then timed his pass to fellow wing Josh Hodson who finished well in the corner.

When Jersey’s Apakuki Ma’afu was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle, Carnegie took advantage; from a penalty advantage Pete Lucock flighted a cross-kick which was gathered by Louis Brown, who scored in the corner.

Brown and lively scrum-half Will Homer almost combined for a second try straight from the restart, but the wing was bundled into touch just short.

Although Cope stretched the Reds’ lead with a penalty soon after the resumption, Carnegie then made use of a stiff westerly breeze to pen Jersey back in their half. The visitors’ lineout had been erratic all day, but nevertheless they were able to claim enough ball to threaten from rolling mauls, and twice Thomas burrowed over from close range for his first tries for his new club.

Jersey’s attempts to chase the game proved fruitless and a late transgression in front of the posts gave Lucock the chance to chalk off the Reds’ losing bonus point.

Knowing his side could have moved up the table with a win, Jersey head coach Harvey Biljon was frustrated by the end result.

“We got into their half twice and came away with scores each time,” he said.

“But otherwise we didn’t have much territory or possession, and we need to look at ourselves after several unforced errors and some poor discipline.”