Woollett on a roll as Reds keep pressure up

JERSEY Reds turned up the power in the final quarter to pull clear of a Richmond side who had competed well for most of the match.

Ben Woollett grabbed a hat-trick for the home side to help the Reds rack up an eighth straight league win and leave director of rugby Harvey Biljon a happy man.

“Coming away with five points against a really nuggety team was important,” he said. “There was a time when I didn’t feel we were getting the rewards at the set-piece, but the guys stayed calm and were able to get forward in the later stages and come away with points.”

The home side struck in the opening minute as Woollett made a storming run and linked with fellow wing Tomi Lewis, who almost made the line; Jordan Holgate followed up to score.

After withstanding some prolonged Richmond pressure, the Reds claimed their second try when maul ball was worked wide for Woollett to stroll over. The Australian then struck again when he raced after a cross-kick by Russell Bennett, hacked the ball deftly over the try-line and touched down.

Richmond managed to get on the scoreboard as a rolling maul was brought down, earning a penalty try and a yellow card for Jersey prop Adam Nicol.

The opening score of the second period also went the visitors’ way, with Jake Monson claiming the kick-off and then eventually finishing a series of phases.

Although Bill Johnston added the conversion, he was unsuccessful with a penalty attempt from 40 metres that would have brought the scores level.

A fine offload from Alex McHenry looked to have brought Woollett his third, but the try was chalked off for crossing by another player. Not to be denied, Woollett then broke through in midfield to cross the line.

There was still time for further scores, courtesy of fine handling moves by the Reds, with forwards and backs combining. Holgate finished the first before replacement Charlie Powell was on hand to claim his first Jersey try.

Owain James claimed a late consolation for the visitors as he raced on to Johnston’s cross-kick, but Richmond captain Mark Bright admitted it was a frustrating result for his side.

“It wasn’t for lack of effort, but there were mistakes, penalties conceded at crucial times and a couple of bad reads in defence that enabled Jersey to score points,” he said.