03/12/2011

Jersey 29 Coventry 3

SSE National League One

Saturday December 3^rd 2011

By Tom Innes

A ruthless second half display in wet and windy conditions
earned Jersey maximum points and a ninth successive win.

Coventry competed gamely into the wind in the first half, taking
the lead through Luke Myring's straightforward penalty. Jersey hit
back immediately, kicking an attacking penalty to touch, winning
the lineout and rumbling over the line. Kingsley Lang touched down,
only to be denied the credit as referee Hall had already signalled
a penalty try.

Just seven points up at the break, Jersey started the second
half superbly with five uninterrupted minutes of solid driving
play. Progress was slow, and the ball eventually lost just inside
Cov's 22, but the sapping effect on the visiting defence was likely
to be evidenced later.

Jersey continued to dominate possession and after a chip through
by Le Bourgeois, Cov failed to deal with the loose ball. Nick
Trower gathered and drove over for the try.

After Liam Mather's yellow card for foul play, the home team
exploited their numerical advantage by spinning the ball to the
wing for prop Myles Landick to go close, before Steve O'Brien
followed up to score.

Cov's best spell of pressure came with about 10 minutes to go
but the visitors couldn't score and Jersey sealed the bonus point
when three successive scrums led to a penalty try.

Star Man:Nick Trower (Jersey)

Half-time:10-3

Attendance:1,506

Scorers

Jersey

Tries:Penalty 9, 77, Trower 55, O'Brien S 60

Cons:Le Bourgeois 9, 55, 77

Pen:Le Bourgeois 25

Coventry

Pen: Myring 10