JERSEY ROYALS LIGHTLY MASHED BY BRIS

After the disaster of last week's 'performance' we really had to see a bounce-back from Bristol.  And so we did, to an extent.  The final score of 39 -16 certainly reflected the balance of play, but a more confident side would have piled on more points when the visitors were down to 13.  Ultimately it was a failry comfortable victory over a side Bristol would normally be expected to beat.  The only doubt concerned the reaction from last weekend.  A foundation for better things we hope.

Bristol kicked off towards the Blackthorn end and play remained consistently in the Jersey half for the first few minutes without result.  A penalty kick was missed by Jarvis, kicking to the right of the posts.  Minutes later he achieved the same outcome in the same way.  Bristol then gave away a penalty to Jersey who had their own goal attempt end in failure.  Seconds later, they had another go and this time were successful, putting 3 points on the board against the home team.  At 15 minutes however, Watkins was released into space when Luke Eves popped up the ball for Jack Tovey to fix the defence and had a straight sprint for the line and dotted the ball down for an unconverted try in the corner, making the score 5 – 3.

Shortly after the restart, with Jersey attacking, a Jersey player was handed the yellow card for infringing in the maul.  Bristol gave away penalties even though maintaining their presence in the Jersey half.  Eventually out of rather mediocre play and an attack that ended with a pass into touch, Redford Pennycook scored a try for Bristol at 25 minutes.  Sadly unconverted, but 10 - 3.

Straight away Jersey were awarded a penalty which this time they successfully kicked to make the score 10 – 6.  A phase of messy mauling resulted in a try, made for Mariano Sambucetti, just 5 minutes later.  This was converted by David McIlwaine to make it 17 – 6 at 34 minutes.  Penalties were exchanged by both sides in the last few minutes of the half, but did not cause any change in the score by the time the half-time whistle blew.

Jersey kicked off to start the second half.  Very quickly they conceded a penalty to Bristol, who despite good advice from the bloke next to me on the terrace, chose to kick at goal rather than scrum, which, given their proximity to the Jersey try-line and the lack of success with the goal kicks so far, might have been a more sensible idea.  However this kick went over for 3 points.  20 – 6 at 49 minutes.

A red card was handed out , with some confusion, for a dangerous, ‘spear’ tackle.  I’m told it was to Ashley Maggs but I’m not certain that was so. 

Now with fourteen men, Jersey attacked with some effect, resulting in a penalty kick to give them three more points, 20 - 9 at 57 minutes.  However, the yellow carding of a Jersey player a few minutes later left the visitors playing Rugby League.  Bristol took their opportunity with replacement Rhys Lawrence scoring an unconverted try  in the left corner.

With only 13 men opposing them, Bristol produced good running rugby.  Bristol throughout the game offered less of the “stupid kicking the ball up and down, what’s the point” ( as I call it), in this game overall, and while Jersey were down to 13 men produced some good old-fashioned passing phases at speed.  Although again the bloke next to me was critical of the inability to breakdown a depleted defence.

Another try at 67 minutes, this time converted to make the score 32 – 9.  Bristol’s inconsistent efforts resulted in a potential further try being fumbled into touch after a fine break, which disappointed the crowd, who expect better.

A long pause for the stretchering off of a Jersey player was soon followed by the return of the sin-binned Jersey player.  Nonetheless, Bristol achieved another try at 82 minutes.  This was converted to make it 39 – 9.

Finally, when I had actually put my notebook away, Bristol completely lost concentration and forgot to defend against the opposition who put away a try and converted it at which the referee blew full time.  Final score: 39 – 16.

Not a particularly sparkling performance from Bristol, especially in the first 10 minutes where they looked lethargic, ‘untogether’, and seemed to be expecting “someone else” to take responsibility for defence and decision making.  This made an ordinary Jersey look quite good.  As the game progressed Bristol got better but after the defeat at Nottingham anything less than a comfortable victory would have been a disgrace.