Bob Millard, the Tottonians’ coach, said afterwards: ‘The first 15 minutes killed us.
Jersey scored two good tries while we made too many errors throughout the game.
‘One thing we’ve learned from playing Jersey is that if they get behind you, they’ll hurt you.
They have some very impressive finishers and once they get past the game line they punish you.
They play open and fast rugby and by midway through the first half the game was as good as over.’ By then Jersey were 15-0 in front and looking good value for that lead.
Winger Richard Finch, who finished with three tries to make it 19 this season in six games, was the bane of Tottonians’ life, scoring first after ten minutes, following neat hands by all of the Jersey threes and a well-judged pass by Dave Carswell which sent him clear.
Eight minutes later he very nearly scored again, but this time was held up five metres short of the line before back row player Steve O’Brien seized the ball and darted over.
Then, virtually from the resulting kick-off, O’Brien sucked in the Tottonians’ defence, danced around their threes and their full-back and finally, 40 yards later, delivered the ball to Finch to score in the corner.
Even when the visitors’ captain and scrum-half, Paul Goodall, kicked two penalties to make it 15-6 just before half-time, Finch struck again in the 39th minute for the easiest of touch-downs following a period of play that began on the left and finished on the right with an easy overlap, and a try-scoring pass from Gareth Jeffreys.
‘After half-time I told them to play a tighter game,’ said Jersey coach Dai Burton afterwards.
So, in the second half Jersey played a controlling game and snuffed out any attacking ideas Tottonians might have had.
Jersey extended their lead to 27-6 when captain Danny MacAllister was forced over the line by the pack.
Darren Toudic converted and that was effectively the end of the game, although winger Matt Davenport-Brown could have had the final say when, with two team-mates either side of him and only the full-back to beat, he opted to cut inside and was taken down with the try line beckoning.
How and when Jersey might lose their first league game is not clear, but they are playing entertaining rugby and as prop Marcus Nobes said: ‘We’re all enjoying running out onto the pitch, and this season there’s a big difference as well as attitude – every one in the team is a great deal fitter.’ Final score, Jersey 27, Tottonians 6 Jersey tries: Finch (3), McAllister, O’Brien.
Cons: Toudic.
Tottonians pen: Goodall (2).
Half-time: 20-6.
Teams: Jersey: Colin Crawford (Peter O’Connor), Josh Chamier, Marcus Nobes, Danny McAllister, Matt Banahan, Brett Els, Richie Griffiths, Steve O’Brien (Paul Maltby), Dave Miles, Darren Toudic, Matt Davenport-Brown, Dave Carswell (Arnou Helmholt-Kneisel), Mark White, Richard Finch, Gareth Jeffreys.
Tottonians: Martin Goodall, Lee Brading, Ange Mariana, Paul Brading, Mike Dibden, James Weeks, Paul Goodall, Matt Searle, Miles Northover, Tom Pearson, Mike Green, James Angove, Neil Angell, Dan Taylor, Jason Jones.
Other results: JRA/Emeraude Lines League: Les Quennevais 16, Jersey United Banks 21; Guernsey 2nds 38, St Jacques 0.
