THE under-11s of the Jersey RFC Academy started their season in style with a festival victory in the shadow of Twickenham.
The youngsters’ first trip away reaped rich rewards with them remaining unbeaten in the Harlequins Festival, lifting the honours by just one bonus point secured in the dying seconds of the final game. They have now qualified for the semi-finals of the Etihad Curtain Raiser Cup, which will be played as a warm-up to Harlequins’ Guinness Premiership fixture against Saracens in March.
Jersey faced a strong Ely RFC in the opener, but after defending ferociously, scrum-half Harry Jenkins scored by picking up at the edge of a ruck and diving through. Full back Stefan Le Brun then demonstrated why he is the CI sprint champion by running in Jersey’s second try in the corner from deep in his own half.
Ely’s big second row scored a late try following a line-out but this – the only try Jersey conceded in the whole festival – was not enough and Jersey went on to win 10-5. Pre-tournament favourites Hayward’s Heath provided a strong challenge, with Jersey’s defence having to put in a magnificent performance. The forwards, led by pack leader Cameron Quérée, were the foundation for the only try of the match being scored by Stefan Le Brun, playing at centre.
• Picture: Jonny Anderson was part of the successful Jersey under-11 squad
