Jersey pass Eastleigh test

There are options left and right as Jersey RFC go on the attack in dreary conditions Picture: JON GUEGAN

IF THE visit of Eastleigh was supposed to provide Jersey RFC with their first test, the hosts passed with flying colours.

Myles Landick’s unbeaten side imposed their will from the outset, limiting the mainlanders to just one try, compared to Jersey’s ten.

In front of a large home crowd, who braved the elements, the hosts proved to the rest of Counties 1 Hampshire that they have aspirations far beyond this league.

After just 11 games, the Islanders are now 12 points clear of their nearest rivals, Winchester, who replaced Eastleigh over the weekend.

Landick said: ‘Obviously putting up 66 points against a strong Eastleigh side is really pleasing.

‘Sometimes we got away from our structure a little bit and the game got slightly fractured, especially in the first-half.

‘We had a chat at the break and they were ten times better second-half.

‘Our set-piece gelled together really well and we were great with our fundamentals.

‘Ultimately we are really happy. That was our first real challenge in a block of four games.

‘We need to go ahead and do that again next weekend, which will be a test for us.’

In dreary conditions, the hosts were able to play with their trademark flair, highlighted by Dan Butler-Hawks’ brilliants chip and chase to himself to score under the posts early on.

The performance was balanced from Jersey, who were notably stronger in the pack, leading to Evan Whitson going over from a well-worked line-out.

By the time Tom Bulfin weaved through the Pirates defence, the score was 26-0.

The visitors claimed their only points of the contest late in the first period to head into the break at 26-7.

However, if there were any thoughts of an Eastleigh revival, Jersey quickly extinguished them.

Butler-Hawks kicked cross-field, which was handed superbly by Bulfin, who then offloaded to centre Scott McClurg between the tackles for an easy score under the posts.

There was no resting on their laurels from a ruthless Caesarean side.

George Willmott showed what he can do in open space, intercepting a Pirates pass and taking it all the way from just inside the opposition half.

If Landick has been critical of anything this season, it has been switching off after building a healthy lead – there was none of that against Eastleigh.

He said: ‘The effort as legs got tired was exceptional.

‘Not just the attacking to pile on quick-fire tries, but the defensive stands to avoid giving up any more points.

‘We talked about being excited to defend this game and they were. They fought for everything and I’m very proud of how they worked from first whistle to last.’

Landick may have only had three substitutes at his disposal, but they all made impacts on the pitch.

Winger Stewart Wylie provided a burst of energy that the visitors struggled to live with.

He was the beneficiary of some quick hands across the backs, as Dom Mayo set him up to score.

Six of the hosts tries came in the second-half, with four of those inside the final quarter.

The Islanders domination was unrelenting and unforgiving as they laid a clear marker down to the rest of the division.

Up next is a trip to Havant II, sitting in fourth place and currently 14 points adrift of Jersey.

– Advertisement –
– Advertisement –