IT is impossible for a team to play brilliantly every week.
That was Myles Landick’s rhetoric to his men, following their ninth consecutive win, over a mid-table Trojans side.
Jersey RFC wound up 47-19 victors but the head coach confessed that is was not their most polished performance of the campaign.
The players were also left visibly frustrated at a handful of decisions that were made in try-scoring situations.
‘I think generally, we cannot get too caught up with any decisions made out in the middle,’ said Landick.
‘Spending too much time frustrated with calls that have already been made is a waste of energy. We need to be better at moving on, whether we agree with the call or not, after it’s been made, there is nothing we can do that will change it.’
Despite the scoreline being tighter than he would have liked, the former Reds professional was full of positives for his unbeaten side.
He said: ‘We know we will have games like this.
‘Throughout a long season, it is impossible to bring your A-game every time and to get through a more challenging game with a win is great. The best teams find a way in difficult circumstances, and I’m proud of how we navigated through this game.
‘Some of our attacking rugby was superb and the tries scored were excellent.
‘Considering the wet conditions, our ball handling in the build up was exceptional and we have to look at that as a big plus.
‘The boys were focused on being better in the scrum and mauling better. They were much improved, which shows they are taking training sessions to matchday and that’s great to see.’
The hosts were quick out the gates, as full-back Tommy Turner was the beneficiary of some brilliant hands from captain Tim Corson.
Former Red Jack MacFarlane then added two tries in quick succession, bundling over from close range both times to lift the Islanders to a 21-0 lead – Dan Butler-Hawkes adding the extras all three times.
The mainland side hit back just prior to the break, however, as Jersey were reduced to 14 when Jake Bates was adjudged to have made a tackle to the head.
Trojans made the numerical advantage count to reduce the deficit to 21-7 at the half.
Dom Mayo showcased his range of skills in the second period, bursting through the Trojans line to score, before he was the benefactor of the best try of the day.
Eryk Swiech found space on the wing before offloading to George Willmott, who himself kept the move alive with a brilliant inside pass to Jake Bates. The prop looked set to take it to house, before a last-ditch tackle, but Bates reacted quickly to pass in back to Mayo, who finished the move.
Willmott, the creator, then turned scorer himself as the hosts piled on the points on the ailing travellers.
By the time teenager Swiech broke through for a 50-yard carry, Landick found his side up 47-7.
However, the visitors dug deep, adding two tries of their own late on to restore some pride, much to the delight of the away dugout.
The Caesareans have extended their Counties 1 Hampshire (London & SE Division) lead to eight points, a healthy buffer heading into a challenging stretch.
They face Gosport & Fareham, Eastleigh and Havant II in the next three games, with all sides currently inside the top five of the 12-team league.
Jersey RFC (1-15): Jake Bates, Jack MacFarlane, George Thomas, Euan Spencer, Bryn Edwards, Evan Whitson, Tim Corson, George Willmott, Liam Rhodes, Dan Butler-Hawkes, Nathan Rogers, Dom Mayo, Tom Bulfin, Eryk Swiech, Tommy Turner. Replacements: Joe Ridgeway, James Guyatt, Max Harrington.
