JERSEY RFC deservedly beat Luton RFC, 17-0, at St Peter on Saturday in a game that had everything a spectator could wish for – apart from the weather!

In front of 300 or so die-hard supporters in an appalling north to south wind they defied the elements; they went in at half-time with the scoreline at 0-0; they witnessed Luton having to change four of their players during the match because of injury; they were taken off for five minutes respite by the referee, Matt Carley, as players received treatment; they had Jon Allo sin-binned in the 77th minute and yet they still produced a win thanks to tries by man-of-the match Hendry Rheeders plus Mark Livesey and Charlie Clyde-Smith.

They also had to endure potential hypothermia because of the conditions (both Mark and Steve Gray, for Luton, were so cold that the coach, Denis Ormesher seriously thought about bringing them off at half time) and yet afterwards Jersey coach Ben Harvey was positively beaming with delight.

‘I think that every one of the players, especially in the second half, showed their character,’ said Harvey. ‘The second half was terrific. In rugby, you have to play in all kinds of weather. Luton had vastly experienced backs who, on their day, would have put us under a great deal of pressure. Hendry showed his experience and the front five simply played out of their skins.’