Jersey were taught a harsh lesson in finishing by London
Scottish, finishing well-beaten on their trip to the Athletic
Ground in Richmond.
The Islanders conceded three tries in each half and the two that
were scored in response were too little, too late.
The home side made the better start and when Joel Dudley launched
a box kick to relieve some pressure, alarm bells rang for Jersey
supporters when the ball landed in the hands of Miles Mantella. The
pacy winger ran it back and fed Peter Lydon for the opening try
after 10 minutes.
Jersey recovered and some pressure earned a series of penalties.
Two of these saw Jersey opt for kicks at goal, the first short from
long-range by Lewis Robling but the second converted by Jonny
Bentley.
Other penalties were kicked for attacking lineouts, earning a
reward of sorts when Gregor Gillanders was sin-binned, but the
Islanders couldn't capitalise and a key moment saw Lee Millar
intercept a pass and race 80 metres to score.
Playing with 14 men didn't seem to affect the Exiles, and in fact
they were able to extend their lead on the stroke of half-time when
the dangerous Mantella jinked his way over.
The early exchanges in the second half were even, but again Jersey
couldn't turn attacking lineouts into points and when Scottish
countered, debutant James Chisholm broke through for the bonus
point try.
The fifth try was scored by skipper Mark Bright as the ball was
worked laterally from a rolling maul. Exiles' kicker Pete Lydon
failed with the conversion, his first miss of the game.
Facing a hefty margin of defeat, Jersey's players raised their
game and finally managed to turn pressure into points. First the
forwards rumbled over, Sam Lockwood claiming the try, and then
Jonny Bentley, impressive with ball in hand throughout, set up
replacement Tobias Hoskins who gave a scoring pass to Grant
Pointer.
Remote hopes of a losing bonus point, or even two, were snuffed
out when Mantella set up fellow winger Matt Williams for the sixth
Scottish try, and the ex-Moseley man might have had another soon
afterwards but for a magnificent tackle by Ryan Hodson.
Speaking after the game, Harvey Biljon praised his players'
commitment, but rued the key errors that led to scores for London
Scottish.
Jersey will play another Friday night game next week with a trip
to Sixways for their first-ever meeting with Worcester.
Report by Tom Innes
London Scottish: Peter Lydon, Matt Williams,
Lee Millar, PJ Gidlow, Miles Mantella, Dan Newton (Charlie Dockery
62), Matt Heeks (Chris Auld 56); James Hallam (Mark Lilley 52),
Adam Kwasnicki (David Cherry 56), Ben Prescott (Lovejoy Chawatama
74), James Phillips, Gregor Gillanders (YC 31) (Freddie Clarke 64),
Neil Best, James Chisholm, Mark Bright (capt). Replacement (not
used): Des Brett
Jersey: Jack Burroughs (Tobias Hoskins 54), Mark
Foster, Drew Locke, Lewis Robling, Grant Pointer, Jonny Bentley,
Joel Dudley (Ryan Glynn 51); Sam Lockwood (Nacho Lancuba 70),
Martin Garcia-Veiga (Gareth Harris 64), Danny Herriott (Jon Brennan
70), Nick Campbell, Dave Markham (Paula Kaho 52), Alex Rae (capt)
Ryan Hodson, Nick Haining (Mick Noone 38).
Referee: Simon Harding (RFU)
Attendance: 2,108
H-T: 21-3
Scorers
Scottish
Tries: Lydon 10, Millar 33, Mantella 40, Chisholm 49,
Bright 55, Williams 71
Conversions: Lydon 10, 33, 40, 49,
Jersey
Tries: Lockwood 63, Pointer 69
Conversions: Bentley 63, 69
Penalties: Bentley 15
