Punctually at 2pm, the two senior sides took to the field. The GRFU Select were clearly ready to make a point, and a frenzied first 5 minutes saw them put tremendous pressure on the visitors, resulting in a well worked try by right winger Loddo in the 5th minute. A difficult conversion was calmly scored by young Alex Cruz (one of three Cruz brothers starting the match!) 7-0.
Before the Select were able to drive home their advantage, one of the few defensive mistakes saw the visitors execute a good line break, which was well supported and resulted in a try underneath the posts in the 8th minute, easily converted to tie the match at 7-7. Captain Fred Cruz rallied the team and continuous pressure led Jersey to concede a kickable penalty, well taken by the unflappable A Cruz in the 13th minute, 10-7.
The select were virtually camped in Jersey territory for the remainder of the half, with the forwards dominating the scrummage, with evergreen loose head Nick Ramagge creating havoc on the Jersey scrum. However, some over anxious play, and lack of composure meant that the pressure wasn’t being converted into points. On the occasions that Jersey were able to mount attacks, they were met with ferocious tackling, particularly from Hamish Couper, with some spectacular hits drawing groans of sympathy from the crowd.
Nevertheless, as is usually the case in rugby, relentless pressure brings its own reward, and a great pick and drive from a Select scrum saw No. 8 Mark Holgate score in the 30th minute, again converted by A Cruz 17-7. A Cruz was clearly enjoying himself, with one outrageous dummy and sidestep deservedly applauded by the crowd. Just as we were beginning to get ready for the half time break, another great burst from Holgate in the 40th minute gave us the 4th try of an entertaining, if error prone, half. With Cruz unable to convert, the half finished with a 22-7 lead.
Invigorated by the score, the Select kept their composure, started creating clearer gaps and begun to display the array of skills we have come to expect from this talented group of players. F Cruz got just reward for his constant creativity with a 44th minute try, converted by younger brother Alex 29-7. With the Select again living on Jersey territory and keeping the ball alive, the pressure allowed player Head Coach Milward to score in the 55th minute, Cruz missing the conversion 34-7.
The next try in the 59th was a personal favourite; F Cruz weaving his magic from deep attracted and eluded a number of defenders, and the strong running Glen Joss was able to take a perfect pass to power over from over 30 metres to score a beautiful try, again without the conversion, 39-7
With a clear lead, and Jersey visibly struggling with the intensity and the warm afternoon, the Select were able to gradually use all eight substitutes. The pleasing note was that the levels of intensity were maintained. The half back pairing of Milton and Cruz became Triay and Milton, with A Cruz replacing his brother at fullback. All the changes were allowing the management team to study the various candidates for the April tour to Malaysia and Singapore.
Holgate was able to get his hat trick of tries in the 62nd minute, capping off a mature, physical display at No. 8. This sealed his contention as Man of The Match, a player we are sadly going to miss as he returns to UK next month. A Cruz had his kicking boots back on, converting this try to get the score to 46-7.
The 72nd minute saw probably the most popular try, as young ‘man mountain’ Aidan Beazley trundled over his first Select try. With Jack Milton unable to convert, this gave us the final 51-7 score line and a tremedous win.
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