Jersey boys fall just short in British & Irish Cup final
MUNSTER ‘A’ staged a magnificent comeback to seize victory in a thrilling encounter in Cork and lift the British & Irish Cup.
Stunned by Jersey Reds’ strong start and trailing by 18 points as the final minute of the first half ticked around, the Irish province rallied with four tries in 16 minutes to get their hands on the trophy they had previously won in 2012.
Head coach Peter Malone hailed the battling efforts of his team.
“It took us 25 minutes to get into the game because of the massive pressure that Jersey put us under and also our own mistakes, but getting a try on the board before the break meant that we were in the game,” he said. “The boys were very calm and collected at halftime and I felt they had the belief to win.
“Jersey really made us work – they were the best Championship side we’d encountered and fully deserved their place in the final.
“It’s a great effort from a young team – there were guys out there like David Johnston, Sam Arnold, Dan Goggins and Conor Oliver who have the potential to be top players in the future.”
Irish Independent Park witnessed a storming start from the visitors, with a break down the left by Ross Adair enabling winger Nick Scott to glide over in the corner and touch down after just 70 seconds.
Callum Sheedy added two penalties, and soon afterwards the fly-half converted his team’s second try. With the hosts bracing themselves for Jersey’s renowned maul, quick ball at the front of a lineout was fed back to hooker Joe Buckle to touch down.
The home side were rat- tled, conceding penalties in quick succession and making a series of handling errors that prevented them gaining a foothold in the match. But eventually they were able to secure the possession and territory that enabled Gavin Coombes to force his way over the line.
The second half began amid a backdrop of mounting noise from the home supporters, plus a boisterous contingent from Jersey, in a crowd that was given officially as 983 but appeared much higher.
Those present knew the first score of the second half would be important, and it was the home side who claimed it within 90 seconds, hooker Kevin O’Byrne going over after some powerful approach play by his team-mates.
Although Kieran Hardy restored Jersey’s lead with a 40-metre burst to the line after a Munster scrum had buckled, the Irish side were looking potent and their discipline and handling was unrecognisable, with pressure mounting on the Reds. David Johnston darted over for the hosts’ third try, and then Munster took the lead for the first time when the back-line set Alex Wootton off on a brilliant run down the left. The winger beat several tackles and scored near the posts.
Although Sheedy briefly restored his side’s lead from the tee, Johnston added a penalty with 10 minutes to go and the Reds couldn’t find the winning score they needed in the closing stages in spite of some threatening runs by Apakuki Ma’afu and replacement Lewis Robling.
Jersey head coach Harvey Biljon was disappointed to have fallen at the final hurdle by the narrowest of margins.
“We had done really well to build a good lead by taking our opportunities – you don’t get many chances against a good team,” he said.
“The tries just before and after half-time were crucial and we made a couple of uncharacteristic lapses, but overall the team and the island can be proud of the season that we’ve had.”