Jersey Pip Nottingham at the Death

Another impressive defensive effort from Nottingham looked like securing a second consecutive win but the last play of the game brought a try for Jersey to snatch the points.

Nottingham had led from the sixth minute thanks to a try from skipper Brent Wilson, and although they had to defend for much of the first half as they played into a strong wind they held out to lead 7-3 at the break.

They struggled to capitalise on the advantage of that wind in the second half though as Jersey fought back with two tries to force a deserved win.

The home side's tactic when playing into that wind - in contrast to Nottingham's - was to keep the ball in hand, and consequently they were able to continue their dominance of possession over the second half.

Still Nottingham held firm only for the home side to win the game with a dramatic last gasp try.

Nottingham could not have asked for a better start, a catch and drive from a close range lineout bringing a try for Wilson in the sixth minute.

Jarvis slotted over the conversion to make it 0-7.

That strong wind gave the home side a big advantage though and they began to take a stranglehold on possession.

Niall O'Connor put over one penalty but missed another couple of good chances and so the sides went in at the break with Nottingham 7-3 ahead.

Soon after the restart Nottingham lost hooker Alun Walker with injury, but with the wind now behind them managed to control possession in the opening minutes, Jarvis adding a penalty to make it 3-10.

The home side kept possession though and played for territorial advantage, a tactic which served them well as they set up the position for replacement Nicky Griffiths to get over for their first try.

O'Connor's conversion levelled the scores at ten points apiece, but Jarvis regained the leads for Nottingham with his second penalty of the game five minutes later.

The home side were dominating possession by this stage and kept play in the Nottingham 22, forcing a series of close range scrums that eventually saw prop Harry Williams sin-binned.

Still Nottingham defended well though, but just when it looked as though they had held out for a vital win, Jersey moved the ball wide and local boy Jack Burroughs got over in the corner in the final minute to give his side the lead for the first time in the game.

The conversion gave Jersey a 17-13 win.