JERSEY RFC U18s still have a firm grip on the Hampshire County Cup after once again snatching a victory, 16-13, from the jaws of defeat yesterday.

With a scratch side, including four members of the U16 squad, trailing 13-11 away to old rivals Havant, Jersey looked doomed to a second round exit after having played most of the second-half trapped in their own 22. But a magnificent penalty kick to touch by Stephen Phelan (the drop-kick hero of the last round) earned a 5m line-out and a chance to snatch a remarkable victory in the closing minutes. With prop forward Chris Pople returning to the field after a facial injury, a catch and drive was perfectly executed with No 8 Joe Ellyatt claiming the vital five points in the corner.

‘It was a phenomenal effort,’ enthused head coach Bob Shambrook. ‘It really was a tremendous display from a scratch side. They were so impressive – even with them seemly headed for defeat I was so proud of them.’

The win earns the Youth a semi-final tie away to Gosport and Fareham, the side Jersey beat in the final last April, but it is unlikely to be the scheduled date of next Sunday.

Playing with a strong gale force wind behind them in the first half Jersey had turned around with an 11-3 advantage, having come from behind after an early Havant penalty kick. Captain Mark Livesey scored a typical try in the corner, with defenders bouncing off him on the way to the line; Phelan added a drop goal and stand-off Michael Le Bourgoise a further three points from a penalty.

But Havant, beaten by Jersey at the semi-final stage last year, were determined for revenge and laid siege on the resumption. Jersey defended heroically, but a lapse of concentration allowed the home side’s lively No 10 to dart over from a tap penalty. The score was converted and a further indiscretion led to Havant taking a 13-11 lead via a penalty kick.

But with the likes of U16 Zane Duqemin playing a storming game, the cup holders denied Havant any further scores – and set up another storming finish.

Jersey squad: Chris Pople, Stephen de Ste Croix, Zane Duquemin, William Campbell, Will Hunter, Andrew Woodward, Tom Ellis, Joe Ellyatt; Ollie Harwood, Michael Le Bourgoise, Stephen Phelan, Mark Livesey (capt), Chris Whitehead, Rory Topping, Jon Monserez and Tom Nuth.