IT seems rather early in the season to be thinking about campaign-defining fixtures, but Jersey RFC are facing something close over the coming weeks, starting with a visit to third-placed Wimbledon tomorrow.
Myles Landick’s men have been stretched and pressed over their opening six games in the Regional 1 South Central season, whether it be through personnel issues, stout opposition, or a combination of the two.
Hard-fought wins were ground out admirably over Bracknell and title contenders CS Stags, before a much more routine 69-17 home win against visiting Horsham last weekend.
However, with Wimbledon tomorrow, league leaders London Welsh following and then fifth-placed Camberley the week after, the Islanders know that the next block of games will go a long way to shaping the rest of their season.
“A lot is being said about that London Welsh game approaching (9 November), but there is no overlooking anyone,” said Landick.
“Wimbledon have shown that they are a strong outfit with their start to the season and I think it’s sometimes easy to forget how hard wins in this tier of rugby are to come by.
“We have started really well. But there is certainly no feeling within the camp that these next couple of games will make or break our season.
“There are so many fixtures and with it being so competitive, points could be dropped by any of the top teams on any given week.”
Jersey RFC spent the best part of the past two seasons running riot through opposition, with little resistance.
Those dominant performances enabled the backs to express themselves and a certain flair to underpin the back-to-back title-winning campaigns.
But rising through the English rugby union system naturally comes with a step up in the quality of opposition.
Jersey have proven over the early stages of the season that they are not just a “one-trick pony” who specialise in tearing apart weaker opposition.
They are a squad that has matured, adapted and improved. Ready for whatever is thrown their way.
If quick hands across the backs epitomised the fledgling side in years gone by, it’s a ruthless forward pack laying the foundations for the present crop.
The experienced heads of Jack Macfarlane, Max Ayling, Huw Owen and Euan Spencer, to name a few, have been ably supported by newcomers in the shape of PJ Dodge and Cameron Keys.
A brawny maul, coupled with a set-piece that few teams have had an answer for, has powered the men in red to within a point of London Welsh at the summit, and one would think keeping that unit together will be priority number one for Landick and his coaching staff from here on out.
Meanwhile, injuries and unavailabilities are more prevalent across the backs, with full-back Mark Boarer missing and centre Scott Van Breda still nursing a hamstring injury.
George Willmott has assumed Van Breda’s position in the backs, after making the number 8 jersey his own since the side entered the RFU pyramid.
“You cannot underestimate the importance of winning your line-outs,” the head coach added.
“If that is operating well, along with the scrum, it’s huge.
“From there, we can create pressure and, as we have shown, we have been so strong mauling in tries from in close.
“But we need to continue converting those chances when we create them.
“I said to the lads before the last game that there is no point having that dominant set-piece and just turning it off and on.
“At this level, we need to make every opportunity count.
“Wimbledon look like they have a big and physical pack too, so we are looking forward to the fight.
“Ultimately, we just need to keep turning up and giving it everything.
“This league will not afford you the chance for off days.”
Jersey RFC to face Wimbledon [1-15]: Joe Ridgway, Jack Macfarlane, Tom Wilson, Max Ayling, Cameron Keys, PJ Dodge, Tom Tilstone, Euan Spencer, Liam Rhodes, Dan Barnes, Jacques de la Bat, George Willmott, Nathan Rogers, Bevan Biggs, Ethan Huish. Replacements: George Thomas, Bryn Edwards, Cal Cuthbert.
