The South African, now in his third season as a professional at St Peter, has shown great dedication and flexibility to be a key performer as the Reds achieved a commendable finish to what has been a tremendous but testing year.
Although just 24, as one of the Reds’ ‘veterans’ he came back from a long-term injury to play a pivotal role through a tough period for Jersey at stand-off, as well as covering at full-back and centre during a huge injury crisis.
Last month Cope kicked points, scored a try and unleashed his backs to great effect, as well as playing a strong role in some immense rear-guard actions that had Jersey drawing away to Nottingham, beating London Scottish home and away in the B&I Cup, then beating Hartpury at Stade Santander. Only injury prevented him from adding to his December tally of 42 points in the final act of 2017; a tremendous victory at Cornish Pirates.
‘We targeted a big December – and we got it,’ said Durban-born Cope. ‘The Pirates game was a big one. We leapt a few places up the table with that win – and they are always hard to beat.
‘We’ve got better as a team over the past few weeks and are now on a good run of form – hopefully we can carry that on this year.’
More in Tuesday’s JEP.
