Jersey Reds TV's user profile page. Match highlights, posts and more on site!

Reaction from Harvey Biljon after win at Ampthill

The Reds gained a second successive five-point win, although they were made to work very hard by a determined home side before scoring a fourth try in the final play. The visitors were into the attack early on and after their initial efforts were repelled, Tom Williams burst up the wing to score from 35 metres with eight minutes on the clock. An attritional period of play saw both sides unable to take their chances until a well-worked Ampthill move saw Will Foster cross in the corner and Louis Grimoldby add the extras to give his side the lead (5-7). The Reds weren't behind for long, responding with a superb try that was made in Worcester, with loan signings Matti Williams and Scott Van Breda combing to devastating effect and the full-back haring to the line. Barnes had a score chalked off for a knock-on in the build-up, however the visitors were able to grab a third just before the break when prop Ciaran Parker followed a sprightly burst through the middle with a deft back-handed flick to Dan Barnes, who raced to the line from 15 metres out. Brendan Cope's second conversion made it 7-19 at the break. The first score of the second period looked important and it was the hosts who grabbed it through wing Will Brown after 53 minutes with the wing racing through to a kick ahead (14-19). With just the two exceptions, the Reds were consistently able to stymie most of the Ampthill attacking efforts and force errors, with the home side also responsible for the lions' share of the penalty count. With just under 10 minutes to go there was a kickable penalty just outside the 22 and Cope took the shot to stretch his side's lead to eight points. And the Reds continued to press and eventually were able to work Barnes over for his second try, and the bonus point, with Cope adding the extra with the last kick of the day. The result saw the Reds move up two places in the Greene King IPA Championship table, from ninth to seventh, just a point behind their hosts. AMPTHILL (15-9; 1-8): Cameron Anderson; Will Brown, Josh Hallett, Richard Streets, Will Foster; Louis Grimoldby (capt), Matt Marsh (Sam Bryan 9); Sam Crean (Jamie Jack 58), Syd Blackmore (Dave Ward 35), Sam Wainwright (Aleki Lutui 53), Charlie Beckett (Carl Burgess 53), Llewelyn Jones, Billy Johnson, Jac Arthur (Alex Humfrey 48), Ollie Stonham. Unused replacements: Russell Bennett, Jarryd Sage. JERSEY REDS (15-9, 1-8): Scott Van Breda; Tom Williams (Darren Atkins 73), Jack Roberts, Dan Barnes, Brendan Owen; Brendan Cope, Max Green (James Elliott 72); Dan Richardson, Jack Macfarlane, Ciaran Parker (Jack Higgins 58), Sean O’Connor, Macauley Cook, Max Argyle, Lewis Wynne (capt), Matti Williams (Tim Grey, 32). Unused replacements: Eoghan Clarke, Ollie Dawe, James Scott, Bader Pretorius. REFEREE: Sara Cox. Assistants: Adam Wookey, Simon Adams Half Time: 7-19 Scorers Ampthill Tries: Foster 22, Brown 53 Conversions: Grimoldby 22, 53 Jersey Reds Tries: Williams T 8, Van Breda 24, Barnes 36, 80 Conversions: Cope 24, 36, 80 Penalty: Cope 70

Nottingham post match reaction

The Reds marked their return to home turf after a 60-week absence by turning on the style in a nine-try demolition of Nottingham in front of an ecstatic home crowd. With just over 1,000 in the house – the first time since September 2020 that a rugby match in the British Isles had been played in front of spectators – the home side enjoyed themselves in sunny, but windy, conditions. The crowd at Stade Santander International gave their team, a riotous welcome as they took the field, with banging boards and ringing cowbells. The Reds got on the board within four minutes when scrum-half Max Green broke off the side of a maul and Jack Macfarlane followed up to score, and almost added a second when Brendan Owen intercepted and nearly freed Jack Roberts; but the visitors replied when Jordan Coghlan broke through and the ball was worked to Luke Mehson for a try in the corner. Matti Williams got the second Jersey try with a powerful burst to the posts from 30 metres and then winger Owen showed great pace in eluding numerous defenders to claim a brace of tries. Dan Barnes created the first, while the second followed a powerful run from Max Argyle and cunning approach play by Tom Williams. The wind created problems for both sides, with several kicks going too long and those in the other direction being held up. As the game resumed after the break, there was an early blow for the visitors as fly-half Sam Hollingsworth suffered an injury and play was held up for around five minutes, before the stricken player was able to walk off to appreciative applause from the home crowd. The Reds kept up the pace of scoring thanks to some scintillating attacking play. Green stretched over within six minutes of the resumption – assists from Scott Van Breda and Jack Roberts – and then Owen had his hat-trick gift-wrapped thanks to an interception. Nottingham made the most of a charged-down clearance to claim their second try through Luke Frost, but after that it was all Jersey. Replacement prop Ollie Dawe barged over from close range after fine attacking play from the Reds’ backs, then James Elliott and Van Breda created a try for Roberts through some silky offloading. The Green-and-Whites maintained their ambition to attack until the end, but ultimately this was their undoing when an attempt to break out from behind their try-line broke down and Barnes pounced on the loose ball for the final try. After being cheered on by the supporters throughout the game, the Reds' players returned the favour after the final whistle as they made a lap of the ground. ‘It all came together today after a tough time and the guys were really enjoying playing at home,’ said a delighted Harvey Biljon after the game. ‘We got a score on the board early and that took some of the pressure off and we were pretty ruthless in taking chances after that. ‘The squad have worked really hard and hopefully can kick on from here and enjoy the rest of the season.’ After five successive away trips to start the season as a result of Covid restrictions in Jersey that were only recently eased, Biljon sympathised with the visitors. ‘Give Nottingham credit for sticking to task – we know what it’s like to travel on the day,’ he said. A range of match-day protocols were in place to ensure the occasion could proceed as safely and smoothly as possible. This included temperature checks for supporters, card-only payments, reminders about distancing and wearing masks indoors and the fact that the visiting team and officials remained in the match 'bubble'. The occasion was overseen by officials from Environmental Health, while Reds' players and officials will take part in their regular testing regime this week prior to next Saturday's trip to Ampthill. JERSEY REDS: Van Breda; Williams, Roberts, Barnes, Owen; Cope (Pretorius 63), Green (Elliott 70); Richardson (Dawe 50), Macfarlane (Clarke 62), Parker (Higgins 62), O’Connor (Scott 70), Cook, Argyle, Wynne (c) (Bainbridge 65), Williams M (Grey 65). NOTTINGHAM: Stapley (Manihera h-t); Mehson, Thacker, Riddington, Browning; Hollingsworth (Stronge 43), Dolly; Sio (Williams 47), Farnworth (c) (Evans 47), Garside (Betts 47), Birch (Allen 64), Frost, Cox (Hall 53), Kirwan (Ryan 53), Coghlan. REFEREE: Alex Thomas. Assistants: Steve Lee, Ian Bibey Half Time: 26-5 Attendance: 1,031 Scorers Jersey Reds Tries: Macfarlane 4, Williams M 16, Owen 21, 31, 49, Green 46, Dawe 62, Roberts 75, Barnes 80 Conversions: Cope 4, 16, 21, 49, Pretorius 75 Nottingham Tries: Mehson 14, Frost 54 Conversion: Dolly 54

Jersey Reds tries v Nottingham

The Reds marked their return to home turf after a 60-week absence by turning on the style in a nine-try demolition of Nottingham in front of an ecstatic home crowd. With just over 1,000 in the house – the first time since September 2020 that a rugby match in the British Isles had been played in front of spectators – the home side enjoyed themselves in sunny, but windy, conditions. The crowd at Stade Santander International gave their team, a riotous welcome as they took the field, with banging boards and ringing cowbells. The Reds got on the board within four minutes when scrum-half Max Green broke off the side of a maul and Jack Macfarlane followed up to score, and almost added a second when Brendan Owen intercepted and nearly freed Jack Roberts; but the visitors replied when Jordan Coghlan broke through and the ball was worked to Luke Mehson for a try in the corner. Matti Williams got the second Jersey try with a powerful burst to the posts from 30 metres and then winger Owen showed great pace in eluding numerous defenders to claim a brace of tries. Dan Barnes created the first, while the second followed a powerful run from Max Argyle and cunning approach play by Tom Williams. The wind created problems for both sides, with several kicks going too long and those in the other direction being held up. As the game resumed after the break, there was an early blow for the visitors as fly-half Sam Hollingsworth suffered an injury and play was held up for around five minutes, before the stricken player was able to walk off to appreciative applause from the home crowd. The Reds kept up the pace of scoring thanks to some scintillating attacking play. Green stretched over within six minutes of the resumption – assists from Scott Van Breda and Jack Roberts – and then Owen had his hat-trick gift-wrapped thanks to an interception. Nottingham made the most of a charged-down clearance to claim their second try through Luke Frost, but after that it was all Jersey. Replacement prop Ollie Dawe barged over from close range after fine attacking play from the Reds’ backs, then James Elliott and Van Breda created a try for Roberts through some silky offloading. The Green-and-Whites maintained their ambition to attack until the end, but ultimately this was their undoing when an attempt to break out from behind their try-line broke down and Barnes pounced on the loose ball for the final try. After being cheered on by the supporters throughout the game, the Reds' players returned the favour after the final whistle as they made a lap of the ground. ‘It all came together today after a tough time and the guys were really enjoying playing at home,’ said a delighted Harvey Biljon after the game. ‘We got a score on the board early and that took some of the pressure off and we were pretty ruthless in taking chances after that. ‘The squad have worked really hard and hopefully can kick on from here and enjoy the rest of the season.’ After five successive away trips to start the season as a result of Covid restrictions in Jersey that were only recently eased, Biljon sympathised with the visitors. ‘Give Nottingham credit for sticking to task – we know what it’s like to travel on the day,’ he said. A range of match-day protocols were in place to ensure the occasion could proceed as safely and smoothly as possible. This included temperature checks for supporters, card-only payments, reminders about distancing and wearing masks indoors and the fact that the visiting team and officials remained in the match 'bubble'. The occasion was overseen by officials from Environmental Health, while Reds' players and officials will take part in their regular testing regime this week prior to next Saturday's trip to Ampthill.

DOR Harvey Biljon reaction after win against Nottingham

Brendan Cope try v Richmond

Jersey Reds fly-half Brendan Cope's interception try v Richmond

DOR Harvey Biljon reflects on Saturday's defeat to Richmond

Jersey Reds flew back empty-handed from London for the second weekend running after a disappointing second-half display against Richmond. Playing on their own turf in what was nominally an away fixture, Richmond recovered from a single-point half-time deficit to seize control of the game with two converted tries in the early stages of the second period. The Jersey squad battled throughout but a high error count and the concession of 14 penalties meant they had too much to do and a mauled try at the death was too little, too late. Richmond had the first chance to score points when Ted Landray went for the posts early on, but hooked his effort wide, and his team were denied again when Chris Elder burst through but was called back for a forward pass. Both sides were struggling to impose themselves, with plentiful penalties in both directions and an enthusiasm to penalise the attacking side for rolling forward with momentum before presenting the ball. The Jersey lineout was also functioning fitfully, meaning that the opportunity to attack via driving mauls was compromised. But the Reds – wearing Blue for the day – got the opening score when Brendan Cope picked off an intercept and coasted to the posts from 40 metres out, adding a straightforward conversion. Landray was able to haul his side back into contention by slotting two penalties as the Reds were unable to stay on the right side of the referee, conceding a total of eight penalties to five by Richmond in the first period. There was also an early change in the Jersey pack with Sean O’Connor forced off and Macauley Cook coming on for his debut. Cope stretched his team’s lead with a well-struck early penalty from 43 metres, but almost straight from the resumption Richmond claimed their opening try. The ball was stolen in possession by Myles Scott and fed by Freddie Hosking to former Reds’ scrum-half Luc Jones, who crossed in the corner. Ahead for the first time, Richmond stretched their advantage to 10 points after a spell of pressure. Landray spotted an opportunity out wide and although his run initially took him backwards, he veered towards the line and then threw a long pass to Dan Kelly, with the winger jinking inside to score. Landray’s third penalty just after the hour gave his side some breathing space (10-23) and although there was some good energy from the Reds’ bench, no points resulted until a maul was finished by George Edgson. Cope’s conversion could have brought his team within bonus point range, but slid just wide.

Highlights GK14 Jersey Reds 3 Newcastle Falcons 38

Hope that the Reds might repeat their habit of upsetting unbeaten Championship leaders, as in recent seasons, were swept away after a powerful display by Newcastle Falcons. The visitors defied treacherous conditions to score five tries and stretch their lead over Ealing Trailfinders at the top of the Championship table to 13 points. The Falcons remain on course for promotion back to the Premiership, and could become the first side to complete an unbeaten season at level two since Northampton in 2007/08. The gale force winds had an impact right from the kick-off and for the last 25 minutes of the first half were accompanied by lashing rain on an already saturated surface. The visitors were playing into the wind and managed to string together a series of phases before winning a penalty which Brett Connon stroked over. It took a while for Falcons to work another potential scoring position, but when they did so George McGuigan forced his way over from close range. The Reds had some brief periods of attack – one was sparked by a Kyle Hatherell charge-down and when the ball was cynically slowed down Brendan Cope took the opportunity to stroke over a penalty. The Falcons tightened their grip in the closing stages of a half in which they played almost flawless rugby. Two more tries came from forward drives, McGuigan crossing again and then Greg Peterson powering over. Second half possession was more evenly split, but when the Reds had the ball they were trying desperately to attack out of their half and met teak-tough Falcons’ defence. Eventually Aaron Penberthy tried a grubber through midfield, but the ball was picked up by Micky Young who ran through for a try in the corner. Play was never more than 10 metres inside the Falcons’ half, and usually a lot further forward, thanks to some excellent tactical kicking by Connon. He also set up the final try with an inside pass to Johnny Williams and converted it to complete a perfect day with the boot. Reds director of rugby Harvey Biljon was impressed with the Falcons’ powerful display. “I thought Newcastle were exceptional today in all areas – their set-piece, their accuracy, their defence,” he said. “I thought my players showed great character in carrying on trying to play rugby in the second half, but even getting across halfway was difficult.” “It was probably our best performance of the season so far,” Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards said after the game. “Our tactics were right, we executed well and took advantage of a couple of lucky breaks and a couple of mistakes by Jersey.”

Reaction from Newcastle Falcons DOR Dean Richards after his side's dominant display.