Leaders rally to end challenge by Greens

It was the measure of this fine Jersey side that they were able to up their game when it was needed in this excellent, pulsating, high-level contest.

Their 15th win in an unbroken run since beating the Greens at home in St Peter in October keeps them on top of the table and on course for promotion at their first attempt.

It would make them the first club to do so since the Cornish Pirates (in their old guise as Penzance and Newlyn) did so 10 years ago.

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Three finely-constructed tries in the third quarter turned a hitherto even contest firmly in the visitors’ favour and their scrummaging strength and hard three-quarter running – allied to all-round professionalism and fitness – ensured there was no way back for the Greens for all the excellent play they mounted themselves.

For half the game, Jersey struggled to contain a Wharfedale side whose line-speed in defence and alert aggression in the loose gave them a territorial and a scoring edge.

Wharfedale’s 14-13 half-time lead reflected their dominance and greater momentum in the early stages which brought them three excellent, varied scores. A second-minute solo try for Dan Solomi set the game alive, and there followed two snp drop goals from Tom Barrett and a lengthy penalty from Tom Davidson for the largest Avenue crowd of the season to cheer.

Nevertheless, with the lead changing hands four times in an exciting first quarter, Jersey collected a mauled try following a lineout – excellent lock Nathan Hannay touching down – and two penalties and a conversion from the reliable boot of Ross Broadfoot.

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Wharfedale’s mid-half pressure saw Jersey on the retreat following breaks by Ben Sowrey and James Tincknell but two penalty chances went astray.

After the break, it was a different matter. Displaying ominous power at the scrum, a heel against the head in the home 22 was converted expertly into an overlap try for Ashley Maggs on the far wing.

Two further converted tries around the hour-mark from centre James Copsey and captain Graham Bell gave the visitors a deserved bonus-point win.

Wharfedale continued to fight with Arran Myers prominent behind a retreating scrum.

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