Jersey lose to top-class Barnes

Jersey centre Sam Tuia scored the only try for the Island side

A spirited Jersey lost 21-13 to Barnes at St Peter on Saturday.

A strong Barnes team played with confidence and speed and while Jersey defended well, the London side were the better team and deserved the win.

Despite the loss, Jersey coach Ben Harvey could still take the positives from the game.

"There was tremendous work ethic throughout the game from the whole squad and they'll learn from a game like that."

"There was a lot of quality rugby out there," he continued, "No reason to be downhearted, they did the Island proud, they should walk with their heads high."

After the loss Jersey sit in third place, five points behind the top two teams, Shelford and Barnes.

In an entertaining first half Barnes hit the front after twelve minutes with a penalty and went further ahead at the half hour stage with another penalty.

There was a lot of quality rugby out there, no reason to be downhearted, they did the Island proud

Jersey rugby coach Ben Harvey

Jersey's only try was the game highlight for the thousand-strong crowd and underlined Jersey's attacking abilities when given space.

Following a scrum, number nine Brendan O'Brian held the ball until the last possible second before passing to fast moving centre Sam Tuia who slid through the defence to score under the posts.

Michael Le Bourgeois converted and Jersey were in the lead 7-6.

The teams then shared penalties and the score at half-time was 10-9 to the Island side.

The second half was all Barnes as they scored two more tries and smothered Jersey's attack.

While Jersey scored three more points from a penalty, they did not look as though they had an answer to the high-class play of Barnes.

Both Barnes and Jersey defended well all game

The London club's last try was a result of some poor Jersey defending and some quick thinking from the Barnes players.

With ten minutes to go Barnes were awarded a penalty kick - it was short and sliced across goal, landing at the feet of the Barnes players who grounded the ball for the easiest and most unusual of tries.

Jersey's next game is away at North Walsham on 7 March.