By corporalcarrot
February 3 2014

Bristol Away Back from the Briz trip so a few thoughts while they are still fresh in the mind. I missed the trip to the “Mem” last year and so really pleased to have made it this season before it sadly becomes yet another supermarket.

Great ground, wonderful fans – shame about the woeful beer and Jersey’s performance on the day. Despite the deluge of rain over the previous couple of weeks the field was absolutely playable and I took up position on the Centenary Terrace next to the dugouts with Nick of the Croydon Jersey Supporters Group. We managed to catch the attention of Brizzle the Mascot who did a remarkable turn in mudslides later and hopefully we can get the evidence in the post.

Jersey started the game with three locks in the pack but then strangely elected to use No8 Brown as the key lineout jumper at two with Campbell lifting at three. I assume the objective was to get quicker ball to the threes and ultimately Jersey did score two fine tries from the wings which is as good a return as we have had from there all season. Unfortunately it played straight into Briz’s strength and they scored a hatful of tries and we ended up totally put to the sword by a very good Briz side. The greatest concern was with our first choice starting front row we were taken apart in the scrums which has been our major strength. Brown made a number of good breaks from the back of a retreating scrum but we do need to hook the ball back in the first place. The greatest indignity for a Jersey fan was to see us concede a penalty try – I struggle to remember it happening before in the absence of yellow cards. The Argentinean ref had a fine game. The midfield defence desperately missed Bishop IMO. 

For Briz they have an embarrassment of riches and the great crowd deserve no less. They charge a fortune to get into the Mem and its worth every penny – if I lived anywhere near the place I would go to every game. Briz’s front row were exceptional (particularly the hooker) and the open side wing forward would have been my man of the match. The starting scrum half was brilliant but if anything he was outshone when he was replaced by Tipuna in the second half. The Briz midfield punched holes in our line all day long.

Jersey have nine games left and need to win at least three of them IMO. Harvey and Steve need to focus on the squad’s strengths but they have my full support. We need a huge crowd next week at St Peter and we need to get them behind the team from the off. Howay Jersey – if Sunderland can beat Newcastle (again) and beat Man Utd to make a cup final you can do it. Let’s start with Nottingham and then Plymouth.