Championship: Richmond 16-41 Jersey Reds

Lewis Robling tops Jersey's try-scoring charts after the opening game of the season

Jersey Reds kicked off their fifth season at Championship level with a comprehensive 41-16 win at newly-promoted Richmond.

The Reds were just a point ahead at half time after tries from James Freeman and George Watkins.

But, Lewis Robling, Marc Thomas and Nick Selway all went over to put the visitors in control.

Sam Stuart claimed Richmond's first Championship try but Robling's second and Gary Graham's score sealed the win.

The Championship newcomers took the lead through Rob Kirby's early penalty but Freeman, who skippered the Reds in the absence of Pierce Phillips, crashed over to put his side ahead.

Former Bristol winger Watkins, on his competitive debut for the club, burst through to make it 10-3 but Kirby's penalties narrowed the deficit to a single point at the break.

Robling raced onto a grubber kick for Jersey's third try soon after the restart, with prop Thomas then scoring just moments later on his first league appearance for the islanders as the game slipped away from Richmond.

Replacement front-row Selway crashed over from a maul to put the result beyond any real doubt despite Stuart's score at the other end.

Centre Robling raced through for his second try and then with time ticking away flanker Graham forced his way over in the corner from close range to complete the bonus-point victory for the Channel Islanders.

Richmond: Kirby; Browne, Mitchell, McLean, Cheeseman; Lynn, Stuart; Walford, Phipps, Harden, Corker, Hotson, Sargeant, Allcock, Davies.

Replacements: Cunnew, Grimstone, Lyon, Lonergan, Gibbs, Owen, Jones-Davies

Jersey: Cuthbert; Watkins, King, Robling, Adair; Cope, Hardy; Thomas, Buckle, Kerrod, McKern, Campbell, Freeman (capt), Graham, Haining.

Replacements: Selway, McCarthy, Tampin, Kolo'ofa'i, Argyle, Fisilau, Davies

Attendance: 893

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