BRIGHTON 15 v JRFCA U13’s 5
Poor weather conditions led to a chaotic schedule for the hosts with three visiting
teams on tight schedules trying to get their matches played. After two pitch changes
and several alterations to start time, JRFC U13’s kicked off at 11.25 am on the allweather surface at Brighton – rain and wind in full swing.
The boys were, unusually, out of the blocks fast and soon had the measure of their
opponents at the breakdown areas winning quick, if not clean, ball and trying hard to
get something going with the backs. The wet conditions coupled with their eagerness
to move the ball resulted in several missed or dropped passes at crucial times allowing
Brighton to repel the Jersey boys’ early attacks. This pattern continued for much of
the half with the Jersey pack rucking well and dominant at scrum time. Too often
though the well won ball was bobbling around at the back of the set-piece or ruck
making it difficult for Josh Stuart to get clean ball away to the backs. Brighton
became increasingly aware and were able to prevent any quick ball from getting out
wide where Jersey looked like they may have the edge. The all-weather makes for a
fast game and coaches were concerned that stamina would be tested - any loss of
concentration could prove costly. And so it was, Brighton, 20 metres or so out from
the Jersey try line found some space and following some slick handling their big no 7
slipped a few tackles to go over to lead 5-0 at the break, which Jersey welcomed with
several players looking very tired.
Plenty of encouragement from the coaches and the belief that they were right in the
game during the turnaround should have revitalised mind and body. However, Jersey
failed to collect the kick off and a good chase by Brighton saw them get to within 10
metres, they managed to overload the maul and gained enough momentum to see
them over the line 10 – 0 Brighton. Jersey made some changes and this seemed to
help with the pack reasserting their dominance and providing ball for the backs.
Somehow though Jersey never managed to get the ball wide enough quick enough to
exploit the spaces. The play evened itself out and the home team were never
comfortably ahead with Jersey looking like they could score at any moment.
Following a clearance kick from Brighton which travelled deep into Jersey territory
they again managed to get a few more players to the ball first and force their way over
the try line. 15 – 0 to Brighton and a score definitely against the run of play. Jersey
kept pushing and following some more secure handling a neat diagonal kick towards
the right corner from Jamie Watling saw William Howe touch down to make the final
score Brighton 15 JRFC U13’s 5. Jersey probably deserved a bit more out of the game
against arguably the best team in the division.
As always, Team & Management would like to thank their loyal band of supporters
for all their encouragement.