Islanders unable to stem French tide

JERSEY Reds headed to Britanny for their first match in the professional era against a French team, but finished wellbeaten.

RC Vannes of Pro D2 outscored their opponents by six tries to two on a sunny evening in the coastal resort of Arzon.

After a scoreless first quarter, a mounting penalty count led to a yellow card for Jersey lock Uili Kolo’ofa’i after 20 minutes, and soon afterwards the deadlock was broken by the hosts. Flyhalf Chris Hilsenbeck found centre Frederic Hickes and then Gwenael Duplenne came in off the left wing to cross.

Apart from an Oli Bryant effort on goal that drifted wide, the Reds used the penalties they did win to kick for field position and came close twice but were unable to grab an equalising try before the break.

Ross Adair came off the bench to grab an intercept score as soon as the second half kicked off, though, and Tom Pincus’ conversion meant the Reds led briefly 7-5.

However it was not long before the Breton side were back in front – flanker Steeve BlancMappaz crossed and this was the start of a stream of tries for the hosts.

Duplenne grabbed his second and then Hickes claimed a brace to stretch the lead to 33-7. Adair scored his second following slick hands across the pitch from the Reds, but Vannes had the last word through Kévin Burgaud.