JERSEY RFC 2nds went a point clear in the Emeraude Lines JRA League with an expected victory away to Guernsey St Jacques on Sunday, with the pack scoring four of their five tries.

Banks, previously joint top on points with Jersey and Beeches, drew 15-15 with Les Quennevais and are now in second spot.

Jersey won 37-7 and had the measure of the Sarnians throughout, with their hosts’ only threat coming from rolling mauls.

Jersey’s all-round game looked far more likely to produce points, and so it proved.

Jersey led from the 15th minute when Darren Toudic slotted over a penalty.

Five minutes later loosehead prop Jim Brimelow crossed the line for the first of his two tries.

Toudic converted, then kicked another penalty – Jersey 13-0 up.

Tight-head prop Peter O’Connor, who enjoyed an excellent game, went over for a try – again converted by Toudic – to give Jersey a healthy 20-point advantage at the break.

The game was put beyond St Jacques’ reach when Brimelow added another five points.

The score continued to mount with Matt Howe and Andrew Blake darting over, Toudic converting the former’s try.

Leading 37-0 with the whistle ready to go, Jersey indulged in some comic relief when defending in the corner – relief and a seven-point consolation for St Jacques that is, when a howler of a kick, meant for touch, sliced across the pitch for two Sarnians to pounce and score.

Jersey RFC are sponsored by Collins-Stewart.

United Banks 15, Les Quennevais 15: Five penalty kicks from Gary Rousseau, including one in the final minute, earned Les Quennevais a share of the spoils in their away league encounter against Jersey United Banks at Grainville on Sunday afternoon.

This was an excellent result for Les Quennevais at ‘Fortress Grainville’ and should be a boost for the remainder of their season, despite the lack of a try.

Banks’ Adam Jones scored two tries, the first in the corner to leave Les Quennevais just 6-5 ahead at the break.

Julian de Gruchy played a prominent part in setting up Jones’ second, which was converted by Jimmy McCormack to put Banks 12-9 ahead.

Despite Rousseau chipping away for the Sharks who dominated possession throughout, a McCormack penalty had put Banks within seconds of a victory at 15-12.

But it was not to be and Rousseau’s boot had the final say with a penalty tying matters for the last time.

Les Quennevais are sponsored by Bromley Sanders, United Banks are sponsored by UBS.

The only league action for the coming weekend is at KGV where St Jacques entertain Guernsey RFC 2nds.