JERSEY RFC Men return to Maidenhead tomorrow with memories of last season’s dramatic defeat still fresh and with renewed determination as their promotion challenge gathers momentum.
Myles Landick’s side were firmly in the title race when they travelled to Berkshire last season, only to suffer a dramatic 46-45 loss that proved a decisive blow to their ambitions.
Jersey went on to finish second, eight points behind London Welsh, with promotion ultimately eluding them.
Twelve months on, the men in red find themselves in a very different position.
Clear standards have been set since the start of the campaign, with promotion the stated objective, and a run of 14 consecutive victories underlines their authority at the top end of the table.
Jersey returned to competitive action last weekend following the Christmas break with a hard-fought 34-19 home win over Farnham, a physical contest that provided a searching test after four weeks without a fixture.
They now travel to Maidenhead with confidence high and motivation evident.
The hosts have experienced a difficult season to date and currently sit ninth in the 12-team division, having recorded just four wins from 14 matches.
That run includes the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign, when Jersey produced an emphatic 60-12 victory, scoring ten tries in the process.
Jersey will, however, be without leading points scorer Scott Van Breda, who has been ruled out after sustaining a minor quad tear.
The South African has played through the injury in recent weeks, but Landick confirmed that the decision was taken to rest him, with a break in the schedule following this weekend’s fixture.
Aaron Penberthy returns to fly-half, with Lewis Evans moving to full-back, while teenager Jonty O’Sullivan is also recalled after making a positive impression in his earlier appearances.
The front row of Morgan Brady, Jack Macfarlane and Huw Owen remains unchanged, supported by second-row options Max Ayling, Euan Spencer and Toby Osborne, who impressed on his return last weekend. George Willmott is named at number eight after earning a starting role in the back row.
There is also a place among the replacements for former Minis and Juniors academy player Fergus Ludlam, who has featured during pre-season and earned selection following strong performances in training.
Kick-off at Maidenhead is scheduled for a 2.30pm start.
JRFC Men’s squad to face Maidenhead: [15-9] Lewis Evans, Mark Boarer, Dylan Stocks, Dan Barnes, Bevan Biggs, Aaron Penberthy, Jonty O’Sullivan; [1-8] Morgan Brady, Jack Macfarlane, Huw Owen, Toby Osborne, Max Ayling, Euan Spencer, Evan Whitson (c), George Willmott Replacements: Joe Ridgway, James Guyatt, Fergus Ludlam
