09/02/2018

The Reds gained a stunning 29-33 road win with one of their best performances of the season against Bedford Blues.

Repelling the much-vaunted home club's attack with some committed and well-organised defence, the Jersey team added five tries to seal a great win over the Championship's fourth-placed team.

First half tries from Kieran Hardy, Josh Hodson and Nick Selway helped the visitors to a 14-19 lead.

After scoring late in the first half, Blues grabbed an early penalty to reduce the deficit to just two points, but then a superb series of phases culminated in a try for co-captain Scott van Breda, his first for the Reds, and the score was 17-16.

Two quick-fire tries for the home side put them in front with around a quarter of an hour to go, but Jersey weren't finished, and attacked again with some fine handling skills for a second try for Hodson. Brendan Cope converted and his 4/5 record from the tee was one of a number of key factors. Others included great defence and an ability to disrupt the opposition at the set-piece - although the penalty count was around 10-4 in the Blues' favour, their lineout failed to fire and a late scrum under the Reds' posts resulted in a powerful drive against them and a penalty. That was enough!