SINCE a shock defeat at East Grinstead Ladies, who prop up the Women’s NC 2 South East (South) table, Jersey have fully stamped their promotion credentials at the turn of the year.
Opening 2024 with a 66-5 rout over Worthing Warriors, Simon Le Moignan’s side backed that up with a gritty 17-5 win away to Beckenham Ladies II.
From seven games played, the loss against East Grinstead remains the lone blemish and their advantage at the top has been extended to eight points.
Tomorrow’s trip to the mainland comes against a Beccehamian Ladies squad reborn.
After falling to register a single win from their opening three fixtures, their first came by way of a walkover against East Grinstead Ladies.
The tide has since turned for the West Wickham side, who put up 52 points in each of their games against Sutton & Epsom Ladies II and Worthing Warriors.
Their remarkable turn of form has propelled them to three points shy of second-placed Seaford, having played the same number of games.
Much like last week’s opposition Beckenham, Beccehamian are “an unknown entity”, according to captain Katie De La Cloche.
“They are a team we don’t know too much about,” she said.
“It is really difficult looking at the table to know what to expect from the opposition.
“There are some teams that have struggled against opposition they’d expect to beat and then taken points off some of the sides near the top of the table.
“We need to go into every game expecting a stern test, because we have no idea what it will be like.
“With that mindset, we will be more focused and help stay away from a dangerous mentality that the game will be an easy win.”
Simon Le Moignan has named a small squad for tomorrow’s trip, with just Frankie Vautier and Lisa Saout available on the bench as impact replacements.
Despite the thin matchday squad, there is plenty of strength in the side.
Among those is Seren Coombs. The teenager has patiently waited for her opportunity to play, with only age restricting her from making her mark on the team.
De La Cloche is one of many that are excited about the talent Coombs brings to the league leaders.
The captain added: “We have been waiting for Seren to start with us for a while now.
“She’s been smashing it at training and she’s an incredible player.
“She has been playing within the county side and going across to England regularly, and that has really helped her game experience.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that she will make an immediate impact on our team.”
Along with RFC men, the women’s side are forging their own path to success, with their own promotion aspirations.
De La Cloche continued: “It’s not a competition with the men, but it does spur us on.
“We see the men winning week after week and it makes us really determined to replicate that in our team.
“It’s really important to us that we can be visible and get the plaudits in the paper much like the men have.
“This season we have and the hope is that it will encourage younger girls to join the team and give rugby a go.
“The future is looking very bright for women’s rugby in Jersey.”
Action is set to get underway at 12.30pm tomorrow.
Jersey RFC Women to face Beccehamian Ladies [1-15]: Lucy Hart, Hannah Le Moignan, Emilie Langlands, Abbie Syvret (VC), Helen Papworth, Seren Coombs, Katie de la Cloche (C), Kerry Bisson-Mercury, Ashling Magner (VC), Nancy Portsmouth, Tina Davies, Georgina Ruellan, Saskia Martin, Claudia McGuigan, Jaz Mauger. Replacements: Frankie Vautier, Lisa Saout
