Reds ride out triple sin-bin to kick of with a bonus win

JERSEY embarked on their eighth consecutive season in the second tier of English rugby with a hard-fought victory over a battling Coventry.

A brace of first half tries from fly-half Greg Dyer backed by two second half scores from replacement hooker Nic Dolly were enough for the hosts despite late pressure from Coventry through the penalty kicking of former Jersey back Rory Jennings and three sin-bins for the Reds.

Dyer darted in for the opener after just six minutes following good work from the Jersey maul, adding a superb conversion from wide on the right. That bright start was not a sign of things to come, in grey, damp conditions with numerous long stoppages for injuries, scrums and lineouts, it was a far from fluid season-opener.

Jake Upfield was sinbinned after a quarter of an hour for a high tackle on Max Trimble, but Jersey extended their lead with a second try, in the opposite corner to the first. Referee Matt Turvey played a good Reds advantage and wing Tom Williams failed to control the ball with his feet and Dyer was on hand to dot down and open up a 12-0 lead.

Two Jennings penalties before the break ensured Coventry were still in touch, and a third early in the second period left Jersey in no doubt that they were in a real contest against a side they had lost to twice in the league last season.

Dolly, on loan from Sale Sharks, went over from a rolling maul to re-open the Jersey advantage but Coventry would simply not lie down as the penalty count increased against the hosts. Jennings’ boot pulled his side back to within two points at 17-15 as Mark Best (hands in the ruck) was sent to the win-bin on the hour mark and Auguy Slowik (dangerous tackle) followed him eight minutes later reducing Jersey to 13 men for two minutes.

As the game headed towards its climax Jennings had a glorious opportunity to put the visitors ahead for the first time, but awkwardly pulled his penalty wide of the posts. It was one he would surely score 95 times out of 100.

Jersey ensured they made the most of that miss, with Dolly driven over for his second with just four minutes left on the clock.

Dyer’s conversion slipped wide though giving Coventry hope of a potentially equalising late try. They thought they had it with the final play when a driving maul got over the try-line but Turvey – in consultation with his assistant – ruled in Jersey’s favour that thr ball had not been grounded and the Reds held on.