Ten-try Reds enjoy happy homecoming in front of fans

JERSEY marked their return to home turf after a 60-week absence by turning on the style in a nine-try demolition of Nottingham.

To make matters sweeter for the Reds and director of rugby Harvey Biljon the win was achieved in front of just over 1,000 supporters, the first rugby crowd at a match in the British Isles since September 2020.

“It all came together today after a tough time and the guys really enjoyed playing at home,” said Biljon. “We got a score on the board early and that took some of the pressure off and we were pretty ruthless after that.

“The squad have worked really hard and hopefully can kick on from here and enjoy the rest of the season.”

After five successive away trips as a result of Covid restrictions in Jersey that were only recently eased, Biljon sympathised with the visitors. “Give Nottingham credit for sticking to the task – we know what it’s like to travel on the day,’ he said.

Jersey got on the board within four minutes when scrum-half Max Green broke off the side of a maul and Jack Macfarlane followed up to score, but the visitors quickly replied when Jordan Coghlan broke through and the ball was worked to Luke Mehson for a try in the corner.

Matti Williams got the second Jersey try with a powerful burst to the posts from 30m and then winger Brendan Owen showed great pace in eluding defenders to claim a brace of tries.

The home side had to play into a gusting wind

after the break, but kept up the pace of scoring thanks to some scintillating attacking play. Green stretched over within six minutes of the resumption and then Owen had his hat-trick gift-wrapped thanks to an interception.

Nottingham made the most of a charged-down clearance to claim their second try through Luke Frost, but after that it was all Jersey. Replacement prop Ollie Dawe barged over from close range after fine play from the backs, then James Elliott and Scott Van Breda created a try for Jack Roberts through some silky offloading.

The Green and Whites maintained their ambition to attack until the end, but ultimately this was their undoing when an attempt to break out from behind their tryline broke down and Dan Barnes pounced.