NEWCASTLE Falcons returned to something close to their best form as they maintained their 100 per cent record with a comfortable win over Jersey.

After two narrow scrapes against Bedford and Nottingham, Falcons were much more like their old selves as they ran in five tries to pull even further clear at the top of the Championship table.

The hosts were especially dominant as they outclassed their opponents in the second half, although things were much tighter before the break and Jersey actually claimed a surprise lead when winger Max Stelling crossed in the corner.

Falcons reduced the deficit to two points when Joel Hodgson, preferred to Jimmy Gopperth at fly-half, landed a penalty, and Dean Richards' side claimed an 8-5 interval lead when Tom Catterick rounded off a slick handling move to score on the right-hand side.

Catterick was involved in Falcons' second try shortly after the interval, releasing Hodgson to touch down, but a converted try from flanker Joe Buckle enabled Jersey to close the gap to just a point shortly after.

However, that was to be the end of the visitors' scoring, and with Newcastle gradually gaining the upper hand in the forward battle, the league leaders were able to run in three further tries to claim a bonus-point success.

Noah Cato scored the first, running in an intercept score, before some smart forward interplay resulted in Ollie Steadman crossing the try line.

Falcons claimed a fifth try late on when a slick break through the middle from Gopperth sliced the Jersey defence open and recent signing Adam Powell was on hand to round off the move.