Match Guide: Jersey Reds (A)

With the two clubs separated by just one point, make sure you’re ready for Saturday’s mouth-watering match on the island!

RFU CHAMPIONSHIP – ROUND 20

Date: Saturday 22nd April

Kick-Off: 2pm

Location: Stade Santander International, Jersey

Tickets: Available from £15 – click here to purchase

Coverage: Live coverage of the game will be available via our Twitter feed. There will also be a free live stream which you can watch here.

ABOUT THE OPPOSITION:

The other outstanding team in the league, Jersey currently sit on 91 points, just one behind the Trailfinders and they would have a perfect record in this competition, had it not been for the two rounds either side of the new year.

Their only defeat came on Christmas Eve at TFSC, as they fell by 43-22 in what was the Trailfinders largest crowd of the season. Then at the start of January, they travelled to an in form Coventry side.

With five minutes to go at Butts Park Arena, the hosts were up 19-5, but two scrum tries, first with Tim Grey dotting down and then a penalty try saw the Reds claim a famous 19-19 draw.

There have been a few close escapes as well, as two missed kicks by Doncaster in October and London Scottish in January meant that two victories could have easily been a draw and a loss.

But, ever since the game away in the West Midlands, Jersey have achieved maximum points in all eight of their league games to ensure that they remained right behind the Trailfinders.

LAST TIME WE MET:

Last time we faced Jersey was when we travelled to the island at the start of February as we faced each other in a crucial Pool A fixture in the Championship Cup.

After a strong start from the Trailfinders which saw them achieve everything apart from getting points on the board, the Reds grew into the match.

At the 20 minute mark, it was still scoreless but then the hosts entered a purple patch and scored three tries in the space of 15 minutes.

With the half-time whistle approaching, Alun Walker managed to muscle over at the back of a rolling maul to make the score 21-7 at the break.

After a strong end to the first 40, the Londoners continued this in the second-half, as Craig Hampson sniped at the fringes of the ruck to dot down under the sticks.

At the hour mark, Craig Willis slotted a penalty before then Trailfinders produced a try of the season contender, as some tasty front-row interplay saw Kevin O’Byrne then throw a no-look pass to release Nathan Earle as the winger sprinted away to score in the corner.

With the visitors now 21-22 up, Jersey responded with a converted try of their own to retake the league.

Then, with the clock in the red, the ball found its way to Jordan Burns who was playing out of position on the wing. With just a half-yard of space, he put on the afterburners and managed to scorch in and score in the corner. Willis then stepped up to snatch the win, but agonisingly it sailed just wide.

FORM GUIDE:

Jersey Reds

W: Bedford Blues 19-26 Jersey Reds (Saturday 15th April)

W: Doncaster Knights 24-52 Jersey Reds (Saturday 8th April)

W: Jersey Reds 52-10 Nottingham (Saturday 1st April)

Ealing Trailfinders:

W: Ealing Trailfinders 73-14 Caldy (Saturday 15th April)

Click here to watch match highlights.

W: Bedford Blues 31-40 Ealing Trailfinders (Saturday 1st April)

Click here to watch match highlights.

W: Ealing Trailfinders 50-12 Cornish Pirates (Saturday 25th March)

Click here to watch match highlights.