THE Emeraude Lines JRA League is heading towards a cracking finale.

The situation is as follows: If Guernsey 2nds win all three of their remaining matches they will have 32 points.

If Beeches win their one remaining match they will have 30 points.

Still in with a slim chance are the in-form Jersey United Banks who can reach 29 points if they win their two remaining games.With leaders Beeches and Guernsey 2nds having played each other home and away it will thus be up to other teams to decide the fate of this exciting championship.

Beeches remaining fixture is against basement boys St Jacques, while Guernsey face Les Quennevais then Jersey Wanderers twice.The crucial game could possibly the next one up on Saturday between Les Quennevais and Guernsey 2nds, for on their day the Sharks can beat anyone in this league.However, this season they have drifted between being downright poor, to being tremendous, as they have demonstrated twice in reaching the semi-final of the Hampshire Plate.So while Beeches’ Peter Stockley will be phoning Les Quennevais’ captain Nick Durbano to wish him well for the game against Guernsey, all he can do is to urge his own team to keep winning, which is what Beeches did at St Peter on Sunday.In a frantic opening few minutes against the Quennevais Sharks, Beeches fell behind when stand-off Gary Rousseau linked with Dave Marsh to set up good ball for their winger, Gallagher, to score.However, Beeches’ play-maker Peter Stockley at stand-off flighted the ball with the swirling wind intelligently through the half, keeping Les Quennevais in their own 22 and forcing them to make mistakes.Three converted tries by the Beeches meant the game was all but over by half-time, the tries made by the forwards and scored first by winger Brett Ireland on the wing, who took the ball under the posts; then for younger brother Danny to score as did Stockley, who converted all three tries.In the second half Les Quennevais, in turn, attempted to use the wind but their only try was made and scored by the pack, when Richie Briffa touched down.In reply, with 20 minutes remaining, Beeches’ prop Carl Burrell tidied up following a bludgeoning run by Andy Dawson who fed the ball to James Brimlow who in turn fed Burrell to run over.After that, Les Quennevais turned the screw and had 90 per cent of the ball but the Beeches’ defence, so good this season, was akin to a fortress.Afterwards Les Quennevais’ Durbano paid tribute to the opposition, saying that unlike his own side, they had played for each other, very much as a team.Stockley, in turn, said that despite the conditions, it had been a tremendous game to play in – and could Les Quennevais just raise their game again a little, against Guernsey, to avoid the possible headline of ‘Sharks are beached’?While Beeches were winning in Jersey, the United Banks were enjoying themselves in Guernsey where they scored nine tries, three of them converted by scrum-half Jim McCormack, against St Jacques.On the narrow pitch at KGV, Banks’ work in the set scrum and line-out was exceptional, with hooker Shaun Queripel contender for man of the match as he took four strikes against the head and was one of the busiest players on the pitch.Fly-half Tim de Gruchy scored twice; captain Julian de Gruchy scored at centre; left-winger Richard Finch scored twice; replacement centre Paul Greenwood scored as did McCormack and pack players Ivan Murphy and flanker Ed O’Brien.The Banks have really peaked in recent matches, and are arguably the best ‘junior’ team at the moment.For de Gruchy, one more win earlier in the season could have seen his team in with a chance of topping the lead, but he is philosophical about the season to date.’I'm just pleased with the way the team are playing,’ he said.

‘St Jacques weren’t a bad side, and they retained the ball well.

However, they were slow to reform and our defence was excellent.’Banks also have some talented threequarters, with winger Finch the dangerman, currently averaging three tries a game.In the final game on Sunday, following a noon kick-off at St Peter, JRFC 2nds beat Wanderers 43-34 in a gusting wind.The score was 33-3 to the 2nds at half-time which suggests that the teams each won a half.

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a point JRFC head coach Dai Burton appreciated, as he did some of the tries.’The Wanderers choicest try was Mick Mayo’s in the second half,’ he said.

‘Steve Byrne came on at half-time and with only one man to beat would normally have been unstoppable.Ross Allan, to his credit, caught him, before Byrne flipped the ball to Mick in support to score.’Best try for the 2nds came from 17-year-old Matt Banahan who played at No 8 and scored twice, both from long distance, the best try when he picked up from the base of the scrum and powered away.The 6 ft 6 in Highlands College student was also hugely impressive in the line-out, and Burton will have no hesitation in using him in his next 1st XV game, against London Irish Amateurs at home on Saturday.However, the difference between the ages and interests of the two teams could clearly be seen after the game.’The Wanderers head straight for their beer in the clubhouse,’ said Burton.

‘The youngsters go next door for a burger and a coke!’