Jersey RFC Women 14
Tries: Bisson-Mercury; Turpin
Conv: McGuigan (2)
Dartford Valley Ladies 31
Tries: Bacon; Clarke; Jade; Gold; Hunt
Conv: Hunt (3)
After a monumental battle last home game against Canterbury Women, captain Katie de la Cloche and her charges did not disappoint on their return to CoinShares Park, demanding league leaders Dartford Valley Ladies to be at their imperious best to see off a strong Caesarean challenge.
Entering the break with a 14-12 lead, much to Dartford’s surprise, the hosts fought valiantly for the entire contest.
Ultimately, the energy-sapping battle took its toll and the visitors’ class shone through to seal a 31-14 bonus point victory. What is beyond doubt are the strides that Jersey have made since the turn of the year, epitomised by the last two home performances.
“We’ve massively stepped up,” said a proud de la Cloche at full-time.
“Especially this side of Christmas. We have put the past behind us well and some poor performances and really made progress.
“Although it wasn’t a test run for the Siam, we knew that Dartford were going to bring it. They’re top of the league for a reason and it was always going to be a tough test.
“But we came out, pretending that we didn’t know the level they were going to play at. We wanted to go out, play our game, control what we could and try and smash it. I think we did that.
“They were quite shocked at the way we took the game to them. They turned a bit nasty on the pitch at one point, which I think shows we had them a little worried.
“I’m so incredibly proud of the way we are playing. Although we are not winning games, we’re bringing it every time. Everyone’s fighting for one another and we keep our heads up from start to finish.
“No one feels deflated and we are just focusing on improving and moving in the right direction.”
In the early spring sunshine, Dartford came out the traps quick, to no great surprise given their form this campaign.
Atop the Women’s NC 1 South East (South) tree, the visitors had won eight of the ten games ahead of the visit to Jersey and those in red were quickly reminded why.
Within the first couple of minutes, patient phase play was capped off with swift hands across the backs to free Ashleigh Bacon on the left wing to score. Lauren Hunt added the extras and there was a sense that the next score would prove pivotal to the complexion of the game. If the Caesarean faithful craved a response, their wish was swiftly granted.
Captain De la Cloche secured a textbook line-out, before Georgina Ruellan received the ball in space to eat up the metres.
Following a flurry of penalties, the pressure told on the Dartford defence as Kerry Bisson-Mercury powered through to score, with Claudia McGuigan adding the extras from the tee.
With the wind in their sails, the Islanders stamped their authority with a swift passage of play and quick hands to gain territory.
From inside the ten-metre line, Laura Turpin caught the Dartford defence flat-footed with a clever pick-and-go from a ruck to burst through and score.
McGuigan was once again accurate from the conversion and Jersey held a 14-7 lead. The second score lit a fire in the Dartford Ladies, who wasted precious little time to reduce the arrears through Amelie Clarke, who scored from in close.
Hunt missed the tight conversion and the Caesareans held onto a slender two-point lead. It was an advantage they held into the break following a terrific goal-line stand, pushing the visitors back, prior to Seren Coombs earning her side a penalty at the breakdown, helping
Jersey survive through a monumental defensive effort.
Dartford knew they were in a game, and needed to show their class to head back to Kent with a win. Class aptly described their second-half effort.
Kaylee Jade, Lauren Hunt and Caitlyn Gold all crossed the whitewash as Dartford piled on 19 unanswered points to snatch the spoils.
But there was so much more for Jersey to take out the tussle than the scoreboard at 80 minutes displayed.
Those who came to cheer on the hosts were treated to a full 80 minutes from Coombs, just days after the talented teenager was called up to England Women’s U18 side for the Six Nations Festival.
“I was only going to play a half,” joked the flanker. “Of course there’s always risks with injuries, but you can pick them up at any time. Even in practice. There were a few things I wanted to work on from the game against Hartpury [for England], especially defensively.
“For that, I needed a game setting as we don’t do much contact practice with England for injury prevention reasons.
On the progress made by Jersey RFC’s women, Coombs added: “We are definitely learning as the season’s gone on.
“We are still getting used to this league in terms of the quality.
“Last season we could comfortably win every game and there isn’t any improvement or learning that comes from that.
“It has taken some time, but we have worked hard on our breakdowns and it’s paying off with getting turnovers.
“This group works so hard. People want to be here, they want to play and it shows.
“The more experienced players have helped the newcomers and all of those efforts are starting to show on the pitch.”
One aspect that has markedly improved is the set-piece and forwards play. The step up in league has provided a huge test in terms of the strength of opposition packs and coach Max Ayling has been on hand to assist the side to “front up”.
He said: “There’s no doubting Dartford are a great outfit. They showed little moments of brilliance.
“But as coaches, we couldn’t be happier. They all put a massive shift in and expended so much energy to dig in and take a lead into the break.
“I think that took it’s toll as the game wore on, but ultimately, I think the girls are very proud of what they did.
“No matter what the results have been showing, they bring a positive mindset and fight for each other out there, every single game.
Jersey have one more game remaining of the league campaign, when they welcome winless Pulborough Women to CoinShares Park on 5 April.
Jersey RFC Women [15-9; 1-8]: Kim Hacquoil, Abi Lappage, Tina Davies, Katie De La Cloche (c), Claudia McGuigan, Georgina Ruellan, Laura Turpin, Nicole Rodrigues Magalhães, Ella Vieira, Holly Bertram, Willow Le Luan, Emilie Langlands, Abi Syvret, Seren Coombs, Kerry Bisson-Mercury. Replacements: Andi Vaughan, Morgan Carter, Hannah Le Moignan, Jo Shipton-Taylor, Serena Fan, Georgie Keens
Dartford Valley Ladies [15-9; 1-8]: Amelie Clarke, Ashleigh Bacon, Kaylee Jade, Lauren Hunt, Charlotte Moore, Vicki Benbow, Katie Dootson, Bex Goodwin, Shelley Hoyle, Chloe Smith, Sophie Merryweather, Zoe Harley, Ruby Fulton, Caitlyn Gold, Lucy Matthews (c). Replacements: Ellie Kennedy, Sarah McCabe, Bethany Marsh, Chriss Bright, Tiffany Hartley, Clarissa Evans, Veronika Marx, Lisa Tite
