Jersey claimed an impressive win at the Athletic Ground in Richmond, beating last season's third-placed side London Scottish by 5-20.
All the points came in the first half, with Jersey claiming the first score when the ball was fed wide and Aaron Penberthy supplied the scoring pass to Ross Adair for his first try in a competitive game for Jersey. Brendan Cope converted impressively from the touchline, one of four kicks he landed, in tricky conditions, from five attempts.
The Exiles replied when ex-Jersey centre Drew Locke kicked ahead and Matt Williams won the race to touch down, but then Gary Graham finished off a Jersey maul to make the half-time margin 15 points. The second half was scoreless, with some excellent Jersey defence the main feature.
Earlier the Jersey Athletic side beat their counterparts, the Highlanders, by 7-27, claiming the four-try bonus point in tricky conditions.
A weekend of surprises continued with wins for Bedford, at home to Yorkshire Carnegie, and Ealing away at London Welsh, after Doncaster's win at Bristol on Friday. Nottingham play Rotherham tomorrow.
Full report: see HERE
