Horsham leave it late, to earn a draw in a top of the table clash against their international rivals.

You could tell from the early exchanges of big tackles and vocal cheering from each set of players that this felt like a must-win game for both teams.

The first-half nerves seem to set in with both teams handling seeming to be off, which led to Horsham swaying towards their kicking game with Leo Neame twice chasing down kicks towards Jersey’s 22 and taking 1 amazing catch.
Jersey were giving as good as they got in the scrum, and were also met by some bone-crunching tackles from Cochin, Peel and Streeter when trying to break the lines, while their wingers were hunted down by Leo Neame and Noah Ashton with some well timed ankle taps!
Jersey persisted to push for a try, with some great forward to back play, but Horsham continued to defend well, holding out Jersey twice, before their lines were broken and Jersey scored the 1st try of the game.
0-5 to Jersey with the conversion missed.
Horsham’s response, was to go even bigger with their tackles, Henry Perredow not wanting to miss out on the action, and Jake West and Alfie Salsano not messing around with clearing out the rucks.
With the half drawing to a close, Milo Wilson and Thomas Cochin make some great aggressive runs from the back trying to push their team forward.
Ashton Merola anticipated a missed place pass, from some quick wing play from Jersey, to intercept and go on a weaving run with Alfie Salsano right on his shoulder for a neat little pop off for Alfie to go crashing into the very present Jersey defence! Horsham’s tails are up as the half time whistle blows.

Half time 0- 5 Jersey.

As the 2nd half starts you can see that neither teams wanted to lose this game with more big tackles from both sides.

Horsham decide to change their front foot forward play which seemed to be wearing down the Jersey defence and opt to play out to the backs which released Harry Peel to run through and score Horsham’s 1st try of the game.

5-5 with the conversion kick missed.

Jersey seem to up their game with some big tackles of their own, one leaving Noah Ashton wounded on the battle ground, after being swung around by his ears. Jersey continue with some great forward play pinning back Horsham.
Milo Wilson again with a big run, kick and chase, helped give Horsham some breathing space.
But Jersey responded again pushing with their forwards until releasing their backs with quick ball all the way to the wing to run over for try number 2.

5-10 Jersey with the conversion missed.

Jersey now continue to push again, with Ethan Turner making a big tackle to keep them at bay. With what looks like another try pushing drive by Jersey, Alfie Salsano makes a crucial turn over, meaning Horsham can make their way up the pitch into Jersey’s 22. With only seconds remaining Noah Ashton kicks over, hoping for a chase only for the Jersey player to kick into touch.
Scrum to Horsham, on the 5m line, and there was only going to be one winning of the scrum as Horsham’s forwards smelt blood, they knew they had to have a big push for their team, and that they did, ball out to Thomas Cochlin who runs over to level the game.

10-10. The game is drawn with the conversion missed.

Fair result.
Forwards MOM - Thomas Cochlin
Backs MOM - Harry Peel