Impressive Islanders make it 10 on the trot
JERSEY moved a step closer to a home quarterfinal after turning in a ruthlessly efficient display to overwhelm Richmond.
Unbeaten in four Pool A games, the islanders equalled their previous best record of ten straight wins at this level by cutting loose and running-in six tries against the hosts.
Head coach Harvey Biljon said: “All credit to the players for their attitude continues to be first rate week in and week out, and I’m sure that they will go away and learn from this game too. Our defensive effort was also quite outstanding.”
Reds began their scoring spree in the third minute when they worked a rolling maul for hooker Jack MacFarlane to force his way over.
Jersey continued to crank up the pressure and, when another maul was deemed to have been dragged down illegally, referee Adam Leal had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try.
The ensuing sin-binning of prop Craig Trennier compounded Richmond’s woes, as they had already lost their influential captain, Will Warden, to injury, on the ninth minute.
Richmond also struggled to contain the mercurial talents of Jersey’s fly-half Brett Herron and full-back Auguy Slowik, whose attacking probes gave them no amount of headaches.
It was Slowik’s spectacular 50m diagonal run which set the seal on a 21-0 halftime lead. Hauled down near the 22, the full-back offloaded to Mark Best who played in Brett Herron.
Down but never out, and with Ed Milne carrying strongly, Richmond rallied after the break and they mauled their way close to the line, before, two passes later, Cam Hudson playedin Lewis Dennett.
Having begun the third quarter in containment mode, Jersey upped their work-rate and finished on a high by running in a further three tries.
Slowik’s searing pace again shredded the defence before he located the supporting Will Homer on his inside, with the latter running-in unopposed to wrap up the bonus point try.
Richmond came again and just when they seemed on the verge of claiming a second try, Jersey’s alert left wing Leroy Van Dam intercepted and ran the length of the field to score.
Despite Jersey losing their captain, Gerry Sexton, to injury, the islanders turned on the style with Slowik scoring down the left wing.
Richmond coach Steve Hill: “It wasn’t easy for us and particularly losing our captain Will Warden so early on in the game. Jersey are a good side and they deserved the win.”