You may, or not, know that each game, the voted DotD writes the match report. This week there were 2!

After an early morning start, the team made their way to the hotel and enjoyed some time in the spa, fully relaxed and ready to play. The G’s squad travelled across to the Jersey ground in high spirits. However, as the team were beginning to settle into the routine of preparing for the game in their changing room, it was shared that Jersey Royals play at two venues and G’s were actually expected at the other facility on the other side of the island.

One hour and 15 minutes later, after changing and strapping each other in public on the bus, the team arrived with minutes to spare before kickoff. With a professional attitude, G’s warmed up as best as could be expected.

All concerns and thoughts of the mix-up were quickly forgotten as the team came out firing, instantly putting in some great hits and applying a smothering defensive press. Having gained the majority of possession, G’s executed a perfectly timed line-out drive from 5 meters out and got the scorecard rolling.

This score fired Jersey Royals up and they showed they were very capable ball-in-hand, making great territory and needing some great last-ditch defending to stop them scoring. Their efforts were, however, rewarded with a penalty in range for Jersey’s very accomplished kicker playing at 13 to slot over for 3.

Any nerves were quickly squashed immediately after, as G’s demonstrated their familiar dominance in the scrum, pushing a shell-shocked Royals pack back 5m and finished with some great hard lines and some good offloading resulting in an early try for Luke Maker. The first half continued to be a balanced affair with 3 tries scored for G’s and one for Jersey, the scoreline reinforced by a fine kicking performance from Noah.

G’s entered the second half with the bonus point in sight and their scrummaging and lineout superiority in no doubt. Jake Radcliffe made some dominant runs resulting in two tries in quick succession and bringing up his hat-trick. Sam Musgrove was rewarded for his strong running all game before Jake getting his fourth try of the game. The game certainly felt like it was getting away from Jersey but, trailing 6 tries to 1, they found their groove against an G’s side who’s attention had already switched to the coming night’s activities and appeared to have the dynamism of wet bed sheets.

Jersey played some great attacking rugby and secured their losing bonus point, which was well deserved. G’s would like to thank Jersey for their hospitality and wish them all the best for next season (And maybe ask you to share with others you actually have two club houses!)

MOM was Totty for an outstanding defensive performance and being a terrific enforcer.

East Grinstead 1’s took on Jersey Royals this Saturday. After poor communications of where the match was being held, after 15 minutes of prep and 70 minutes into the game, the 1s had had an absolute stormer. Unfortunately the last 10 minutes, complacency crept in with the final score of 47-22

DotD goes to Harrison for forgetting his floral shirt for after match attire and Ali for misdirecting the team to the wrong ground.