JERSEY REDS proved a force to be reckoned in their opening pre-season clash on Friday night, scoring four tries against Premiership champions Leicester Tigers.
A strong first-half display from the visitors ultimately told in a five-tries-to-four victory at St Peter, but the Islanders gave a 1,500-plus crowd a show of their own in the second period – outscoring Tigers by 14 points to reduce the deficit and finish 35-26 down.
Leicester, featuring a hatful of international talent in their starting XV, scored twice through Olly Cracknell after hooker Charlie Clare’s opener, with James Cronin extending their lead on the stroke of half time.
Winger Ryan Hutler had replied at the other end for the Reds, and Ben Woollett, captain Lewis Wynne and James Hadfield all crossed the whitewash in the second half.
However, Lachlan Shelley had already ensured Tigers would remain more than one score ahead.
Two more top-flight clubs, London Irish and Bath, are both set to visit the Island over the next fortnight.
