Round 2 Round-Up
Take a look back at how the action unfolded in Round 2 of the Premiership Rugby Cup.
When the full time whistle went at The Rec on Saturday afternoon, the look in the eyes of Mark Morgan said it all. The Jersey Reds chairman had just witnessed the latest chapter of an incredible journey that has taken the Channel Islanders from London South West Division 3 in 2004 to champions of England's second tier in 2023, and, on Saturday, a 24-point victory against Premiership opposition...in their own backyard.
The Reds produced a scintillating performance against Bath, scoring 29 unanswered points in the second half to overpower their hosts and become the third team to secure a Premiership scalp, after Coventry and Ealing Trailfinders took wins against Saracens and Northampton Saints, respectively, in Round 1.
Jersey weren't the only Championship outfit making waves in Round 2. On Friday evening, Bedford Blues led Newcastle Falcons with 12 minutes to play but let a famous win at Kingston Park slip through their grasp in the closing stages, while at Lady Bay, visitors Hartpury withstood a late fightback from Nottingham to clinch their first win of the campaign.
Caldy and Ampthill played out a thriller at Paton Field on Saturday afternoon, with The Ravers overturning a five-point half-time deficit to secure a bonus-point win against Ampthill. Cornish Pirates put in another big performance against Premiership opposition but fell short against Exeter Chiefs, despite taking an impressive 12-13 lead into the break.
Coventry came agonisingly close to producing another stunning upset against Premiership opposition, only for Harlequins to strike in the 79th minute to rescue a draw at The Stoop. While, two miles away at The RAG, Quins' partner club London Scottish bounced back from a heavy defeat against Jersey Reds in Round 1 with a much-improved performance against Doncaster Knights, only to be undone by a late match-winning try from the visitors.
Cambridge's tough run of fixtures continued with a trip to Franklin's Gardens, where they were beaten by a strong Northampton Saints outfit hungry to atone for last weekend's defeat to Ealing Trailfinders. And it was the Trailfinders who brought the curtain down on Round 2 of The PRC, with a fine second-half performance that saw them outscore Bristol Bears 16 points to 0 after the break to clinch their second straight win in the competition.
