Blues beaten by a clinical Jersey

Jersey 54 – 07 Newbury Blues

Blues beaten by a clinical Jersey

Saturday 16th March 2024

The score line doesn’t give Blues the credit they deserve

Jersey kick off and within 3 mins have scored, Blues concede a penalty which Jersey kick to touch, Jersey soon have another penalty which is kicked to touch deep in Blues 22, lineout won their forwards maul taking them over to score, plus the conversion 7-0

Blues restart and soon have a penalty which is kicked to touch in Jersey’s 22, lineout won Blues maul up to the try line getting another penalty and Jersey a yellow, Blues win their lineout and again maul but lose possession allowing Jersey to kick clear Blues attack taking play back into Jersey’s 22 before knocking on, Jersey win their scrum and run out of defence before kicking deep into Blues half, Blues return the kick and chase, Jersey get a penalty which is kicked to touch in Blues half lineout won Jersey’s kick is straight out so back for a Blues lineout. Jersey steal the lineout and spread play wide getting a penalty which is kicked to touch, Blues steal the lineout and try running before putting up a kick and chase, Jersey gather and attack getting a penalty, their kick doesn’t find touch, Blues run the ball back a knock on halts their progress, Jersey win their scrum and attack before a neat kick rolls into touch, Blues win their lineout but their clearing kick drifts straight out back for a Jersey lineout. Lineout won Jersey attack getting a penalty scrum on Blues 22, another Jersey penalty allows to kick to touch deep in Blues 22, lineout won they maul to score their 2nd try and convert 23 mins, 14-0

Blues restart but a few minutes later they are further behind when another penalty conceded by Blues is kicked to touch in Blues 22, lineout won this time Jersey quickly spread the ball wide to score wide left, the conversion is wide, 19-0 29 mins

Ashley Doel off, Duncan Craigen on

Blues kick off, Jersey attack taking play into Blues 22 and get a penalty which is kicked to touch, again their forwards maul but this time Blues get a penalty scrum then a penalty which is kicked to touch, lineout won Blues forwards maul getting penalty, Blues play the advantage and some good play a neat chip kick is gathered by Ollie Rhoads who cuts through the Jersey defence with a great run making the 35m to score under the posts Dan Thorne converts 19-7 34 mins

Rob Drysdale on Jonny Lees off

Jersey restart, Blues return the kick, Jersey kick and chase forcing Blues to kick, Jersey charge down the kick and fly hack into Blues 22 Blues kick to touch in their own 22, Blues steal the lineout and some good running rugby takes play into Jersey’s 22 and they get a penalty which is kicked to touch, lineout won Blues take play up to the try line getting a penalty scrum, Blues pack shove Jersey back getting another penalty scrum, Blues repeat and get another penalty scrum, Blues win their scrum but soon lose the ball bringing half time, sadly all Blues pressure is on penalty short of a penalty try

Euan Lindsay off Michael Klichowicz on

Blues kick off the second half and get a scrum when Jersey knock on, Jersey steal the scrum and kick clear, Blues run the ball, play is stopped for an injury, Blues restart with a scrum just in their own half, Blues get a penalty at the scrum which is kicked to touch on Jersey’s 22, lineout won Blues attack through several phase’s getting a penalty, Blues take the scrum and attack, Jersey’s defence push Blues back and steal possession allowing them to kick clear, Blues return the kick, Jersey knock on in their own 22 giving Blues a scrum.

Jacob Checksfield off Euan Lindsay on 47 mins

Scrum won Blues attack and soon have another penalty which they tap and go but have soon lost the ball, Jersey run out of defence but they cough up possession, Blues run then put a neat chip kick into Jersey’s 22, a good chase results in pressuring Jersey to knock on, Blues take play wide from their scrum, play is brought back for a Blues penalty which is kicked to touch, Jersey steal Blues lineout and a great clearing kick rolls into touch in Blues half. Blues take a quick lineout and then kick, Jersey return the kick, Blues gather and run, Blues lose the ball but get a scrum in their own half, Blues run the ball from the scrum but a knock on halts their progress, Jersey win their scrum and get a penalty they play the advantage spreading play wide and back, another penalty is taken quickly in Blues 22 and they are over to score the bonus point try, and convert, 26-7 57 mins

Blues kick off is straight out giving Jersey a scrum on half way, a penalty allows them to kick to touch in Blues 22, lineout won Jersey maul, Blues manage to hold them up getting the scrum, Jersey steal the scrum and attack taking play wide to score plus the long conversion 33-7 62 mins

Blues restart, Jersey knock on, Blues win and attack putting pressure on Jersey’s defence, Blues get a penalty but play the advantage but play is back for the penalty which is kicked to touch, Jersey steal the lineout and some great running rugby takes them the length of the pitch to score and add the conversion 68 mins 40-7

George Robinson-Slater off Jonny Lees on

Blues restart, Jersey attack and 2 penalties later they win their lineout in Blues 22 allowing their dominant forwards to maul and score plus the conversion 47-7 72 mins

Ashley Doel on Alex Du Sautoy on

Blues restart and soon have a penalty which they tap and go, Blues get another penalty and Jersey a yellow card, Blues kick to touch in Jersey’s 22, Jersey steal the lineout and kick to touch in Blues half, Blues steal the lineout and attack getting a penalty, Jersey keep the kick in and run before kicking, the kick is half charged down but Jersey get hold of the ball and kick into Blues half, Blues knock on, Jersey win the scrum and attack but concede a penalty at the tackle which Blues kick to touch, lineout won Blues run the ball but cough up possession allowing Jersey to take play into Blues 22 and put pressure on Blues defence, Jersey get a penalty and Blues a yellow card. Scrum won Jersey quickly spread the ball wide left to score and convert 54-7 and the final whistle

Jersey giving Blues a lesson on being clinical and turning your pressure into points

A great game of rugby

Good luck to Jersey for the last 2 league games and all the best for next season in level 5, and thanks for a great welcome much appreciated

Thanks to the ref who kept the game flowing

Newbury Blues Squad

Ben Hicks, Harry Waye-Branch (VC), George Robinson-Slater, Alex Du Sautoy, Ashley Doel, Jonny Lees,
Dylan Stewart, Josh Winfield
Euan Lindsay, Dan Thorne (C), Oscar Worsfold, Ali Magee, Oli Rhoads, Jamie Futcher,
Toby Thorne (VC), George Robinson-Slater, Duncan Craigen, Jacob Checksfield.

Next Fixtures are

Sat 23rd March
Blues Home v Witney 3pm KO
Stags Away v Henley II 2-30pm KO

Big thanks to the faithful Blues supporters who travelled to Jersey your support is invaluable

Big thanks to our match day photographer Peter Branch whose photos can be found on Facebook Newbury RFC Seniors Supporters Photography Page. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063526195463

Big thanks to all our Player Sponsors and our Club Sponsors, your support is much appreciated

Big thanks to Kennet Radio for their support, https://kennetradio.com