Jersey keep promotion hopes alive

Sam Tuia's second-half try put Jersey back in front - never to be headed

Jersey kept their promotion dream alive thanks to a nail-biting 26-25 London One win at Luton.

Jersey fly-half Michael Le Bourgeois claimed a try, two conversions and three penalties for an individual 18-point haul.

But head coach Ben Harvey acclaimed this real team effort as their best performance of the year.

"The boys were absolutely fantastic," said Harvey. "It was a great performance built on hard work."

Jersey went into the match without Rhendry Rheeders (concussion) and without centre Ashley Maggs who pulled a leg muscle in the warm-up. But Harvey was impressed with the depth of the squad.

"Boys such as Ben Armitage who never expected to have a go this year came on and had a really good game," he said.

The lead changed hands three times, Luton scoring first with a try after just five minutes.

The boys were absolutely fantastic. A great performance that was built on hard work

Jersey Rugby Coach Ben Harvey

Jersey fly half Michael Le Bourgeois then responded with 13 points of his own points - a penalty, his own converted try and another penalty - to put the visitors ahead 13-5.

But Luton hit back with a converted try and a penalty to go into the break leading 15-13.

Centre Sam Tuia then finished off one of Jersey's best tries of the season to put the visitors back in front.

Le Bourgeois converted, added another penalty and Mitch Burton then kicked another penalty to seemingly wrap up the game at 26-15.

Luton surged again late on with a penalty followed by a converted try - but it was too little, too late.

The final whistle came with Jersey still in front, their victory keeping them in third place, three points behind Barnes and five behind leaders Shelford.

Jersey are at home next Saturday (31 January) to mid-table Old Albanians.