Harvey Biljon’s men suffered their second loss in the capital in as many weeks, despite a strong start and a clear physical advantage which helped them to a 10-6 lead just after half-time.
The fixture had all the hallmarks early-on of two sides short of confidence and rusty – being only a few pre-season and league fixtures in after a 42-week lay-off – with neither scoring in the first quarter.
But the blue-shirted Reds struck first with South African Brendan Cope intercepting a loose pass off Richmond’s Dan Kelly to score under the posts.
Jersey gave away easy penalties in the loose which the Londoners – through debutant flyhalf Ted Landray – pounced on to close the score to 7-6 and keep themselves well in the fixture at half-time.
Cope struck again from the boot just after the resumption but as the game broke up Richmond came into their own and tries from former Red Luc Jones and winger Kelly secured the win.
There was some reprieve for Jersey as replacement hooker George Edgson dotted down from a catch-and-drive in the final minutes.
Full report and reaction in Monday’s JEP.
