Big defence pleases Biljon as Reds gear up for Irish

A CLINICAL display saw Jersey claim the spoils against the side who had been level with them on points before kick-off.

Two tries in each half were enough to extend the Reds’ unbeaten league record on home turf to 11 months, delighting head coach Harvey Biljon.

“Both teams were really going at it and I was impressed by the way our players balanced their attacking play with some solid work at the set piece,” he said.

“The effort in defence was exceptional and we’ve got a great occasion at London Irish next week to look forward to.”

Former Red Lewis Robling gave Blues the lead with an early penalty but the home side were soon in front when Charlie Maddison finished a well-executed rolling maul.

Then the Jersey backs showed their attacking potency with Leroy Van Dam making ground on the left flank and passing inside to Will Homer, who fed Auguy Slowik to finish near the posts.

The Blues gained an opportunity with an attacking lineout and a well-worked peel move saw Jarad Williams surge to the line and keep his side within range at the interval.

A strong start by the visitors after the resumption saw a stream of penalty concessions by Jersey, but the Blues weren’t able to capitalise in the face of some solid Red defence.

Jersey’s third try came from a Bedford kick fielded in front of his own posts by Roy Godfrey; the prop initiated an attack out of defence, with James Newey taking the ball across halfway with an electric burst and Jason Worrall almost crossing in the corner. The Blue defence held firm, but after further phases they ran out of numbers and Godfrey made the decisive sprint to the line.

The fourth Jersey try came from Nick Selway via a rolling maul after Matt Worley was penalised for a deliberate knock-on in the face of more pressure. Although Ryan Hutler grabbed one back for Bedford after a defensive mix-up, the Reds were well clear and Aaron Penberthy’s late penalty made sure.

Blues forwards coach Alex Rae said: “Our discipline let us down in the first half and when Jersey got field position they took their chances. We had opportunities early in the second half, but our detail was off. It could have been a different game.”