‘CONTROL, balance and assuredness’ were the key takeaways for Jersey Reds boss Harvey Biljon after he watched his side beat Ampthill on the opening day of the new RFU Championship season.
The Islanders scored five tries at Dillingham Park in Bedfordshire, with Australian winger Ben Woollett claiming two on his full debut.
And Biljon was delighted with his side’s performance, given speculation the league programme might be postponed as a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
‘I am so, so pleased with that – the boys were almost faultless for large parts of the first half and our level of control and composure was outstanding,’ he said.
‘We were patient in when we put our foot on the accelerator and we have guys in the group who almost conduct the orchestra. Because we had so much ball early on, you might have forgiven us for trying to force the issue, but we waited until the openings showed themselves, and we were then ruthless.
‘Day one of the new season is always interesting because teams, and combinations, are still trying to find their feet. Also, Ampthill are a very good side, especially at home, so to score four tries before half-time is some effort.’
While his charges were enjoying the warm congratulations of family, friends and Reds supporters, Biljon’s focus had already switched to next weekend’s contest with Coventry, who beat Bedford, 26-18, on Friday night.
‘This is an incredibly tough division and it’s only got tougher given the recruitment that’s happened this summer,’ he added.
‘I think if you look at who might be in and around the top places, it’ll be Ealing, Doncaster, Cornish Pirates and Coventry. I don’t think there’ll be big points gaps between teams because there is so much quality, and we’ll know more about our group in the next week or two.
‘I think week one of a new season can be fraught in that you are still bedding in new players and systems, but in the next week or so things will start to settle and we’ll see where teams are at.
‘Coventry will bring a different challenge to Ampthill, but then that’s part of the beauty of this league as every club’s DNA is unique to them. It’ll be nice, though, to be at home and the trick now is to back up an away win with points on the Island.’
