A REMARKABLY gutsy performance from injury-ravaged Jersey fell just one-point short of a victory in their U17 National Plate debut on Saturday.

Beaten 15-14 by a late penalty kick after having led 14-5 at the break, Jersey can take a little consolation from the words of the Sidcup coach seconds after the final whistle.

Speaking to his side, still unbeaten this season, he told them: ‘You were very lucky to win today – you’ll have to do far better in the semi-final.’ He was right, for Jersey did not enjoy the best of luck on the day.

But such a scenario seemed highly unlikely after the opening minutes – most of the crowd would have given little for Jersey’s chances as a confident Sidup dominated in every sphere and ran in a super try by winger Peter Woolard in the corner, following a superb burst by full-back Michael Dolby.

And with the first of many home injuries denying them the services of county lock Ryan Bisson, things looked bleak indeed.

But Jersey hauled themselves back into contention with dogged determination and had already pressured Sidcup into conceding a penalty, narrowly pushed wide by stand-off Michael Le Bourgeois, when they hit back to take a 24th-minute lead.

Great support and handling from backs Alistair Dixon, Mark Livesey and Stephen Phelan gave flanker Will Hunter the opening to rush over in the left-hand corner.

An excellent conversion from Le Bourgeois followed.

The tables well and truly turned, Jersey soon added another seven points when a long probing kick into the corner was inexplicably helped into touch by Sidcup’s Dolby.

Hunter secured good ball from the line-out and No 8 Joe Ellyatt peeled off the back of the drive to score in the corner.

Le Bourgeois again slotted over an impressive conversion.

Sidcup immediately made four substitutions – a clear indication that they were worried greatly by this comprehensive turnaround.

Unfortunately that was as good as it got for Jersey, who were dealt body blows by injuries and a sharp deterioration in the conditions.

Turning around with driving rain in their faces Jersey were rarely to enter the Sidcup half for the next 35 minutes.

What they did do, however, was put on a tremendous display of defensive stubbornness while trapped in their own 22 for long periods.

An injury to livewire flanker Marc Curtin proved decisive as it prevented him bringing his man down and play moved on for Ryan Hudson to squeeze over near the posts.

Andy Hind’s conversion left Jersey just two points ahead and with further injuries forcing up their complement of under-16 players to seven, the home side desperately needed some territorial respite — though Sidcup rarely looked like crossing the line again.

But forced to defend so deeply brought the danger of conceding a penalty – and that was the case when ref John Gleave penalised handling on the floor.

Hind punished the offence with a beautifully struck kick that put the Kent Cup finalists a point ahead.

Jersey had little time to hit back and their first venture into the competition ended in disappointment, though there was no lack of plaudits for their effort: ‘A great show, proud of them,’ was the general consensus from their coaches who knew how close they had come to inflicting Sidcup’s first defeat of the season.

Jersey’s man-of-the-match award went to prop Chris Pople who played for most of the 70 minutes with an injury.

The Academy side were supported by Ashburton, Bedell Group and main sponsors Moore Management.

Jersey U17s: Chris Pople, Joe Lewis, Paul Mourant, William Campbell, Ryan Bisson (Tom Taylor), Marc Curtin (Andrew Woodward), Will Hunter, Joe Ellyatt; Oliver Harwood (Tom Nuth), Michael Le Bourgeois, George Yates, Alistair Dixon, Luke Carney, Mark Livesey, Liam Dunne, Rory Topping.