Jersey 20-13 Hertford

Ashley Maggs gallops clear to score Jersey's match-winning second-half try

Jersey had to rely on their defence as they battled back into the London Division 1 top three with Saturday's 20-13 victory over Hertford.

But they would have been held to a draw but for centre Sam Tuia's heroics.

He stopped Hertford fly-half Ian Hardcastle grounding the ball to level the scores late in the second half.

And Jersey coach Ben Harvey admitted: "What Sam Tuia did was brilliant. It epitomised what this side is about ... a hard work ethic and team spirit."

Hertford took an early 7-0 lead after Neil Barella scored and converted his own try.

But Jersey responded to lead 10-7 at half-time thanks to a converted try for captain Talite Vaioleti and a Mitch Burton penalty.

What Sam Tuia did was brilliant. It epitomised what this sideis about . . . a hard work ethic and team spirit

Jersey coach Ben Harvey

Hertford had most of the second-half territory and possession but their only reward was two penalties, the first taking the score to 10-10, which seemed to spur Jersey on.

A great set of passes from a line-out ended in the hands of Ashley Maggs and he showed great pace and power to score the decisive try midway through the second half.

Burton converted, adding a late penalty to stretch Jersey further clear before Tuia's late rescue act.

In a game strewn with penalties, it was Jersey's miserly defence on the day that saw them through - and coach Harvey believes that is down to teamwork.

"When we started to work hard in defence the game went well," Harvey told BBC Jersey. "London 1 is in two halves, so winning today was hugely important."