FOLLOWING Jersey RFC Men’s opening win earlier in the afternoon, it was then up to the Women to keep the good times rolling, as fans stayed on to watch Jersey RFC Women take on Canterbury.
This season has seen the local side make a huge turnaround and improve their quality, taking huge strides in their development to be atop the league table heading into this clash.
Jersey RFC Women 14
Tries: Rodrigues Magalhaes 13’, Büsel 24’
Conversions: Duncan x 2
Canterbury Women 7
Tries: Crowe 36’
Conversion: Little
Georgina Ruellan is one of the team’s bright stars, and she showed why in just the second minute to make a great run, faking out an opponent before dashing downfield, to set up strong field position early in the contest.
Bethan Hughes then showed her brilliance to make a darting run through Canterbury’s line, seemingly dancing through to get Jersey right to the try line, where they relentlessly pushed before Nicole Rodrigues Magalhaes smashed through to tally up the match’s first points on the board.
Emily Duncan followed up the try with an accurate conversion to make it 7-0 after 13 minutes.
Skipper Katie De La Cloche commented on what went behind Jersey’s fast start, saying: “We started strong and our attacking shape showed massive potential for the game’s first phases. Everyone was in sync to pass well and make good use of the wide channels, while a few line breaks gave us massive territory gains.
“Everyone was switched on to make for a quick start, ensuring we made it over the gain line every time in attack while quickly stopping any advances from the opposition. Our line speed was good and Canterbury had to fight hard for gains.
“We had a good warm up, with set pieces working well and everyone’s heads were in the game from the get-go.”
Jersey were eager to immediately follow that up with another score, as they maintained their domination to once again find themselves in the opposition’s half just four minutes later.
Wilailak Moolasiwa was electric on the wing, and demonstrated her immense pace with a rapid run to cut through Canterbury and pose a great danger.
The Caesareans continued to dominate in the opponents’ half, and they were finally rewarded for their efforts in the 21st minute, as Molly Büsel dashed through and was left unopposed to stride over the line, with another conversion from Duncan doubling their lead.
Falling behind, something seemed to switch for Canterbury as they ramped up the intensity, posing problems for the hosts as the yellow-and-blacks charged and made it deep into enemy territory.
After Jersey showed some great defensive play at their try line to hold off the attackers, Canterbury eventually hit back to secure their first set of points, as Eleanor Crowe sprinted across to make it known that the visitors shouldn’t be counted out, with a conversion kick from Layla Little making it 14-7 at the 36th minute.
As Canterbury played their way into the game, half-time was called with the Islanders still leading. Following the restart, both teams came out reinvigorated to battle it out in the adverse conditions, and it really was up in the air as both staked their claim for the victory.
“The second half was a battle of wills. Whoever wanted it more got the win. Being ahead at half-time gave us an advantage, but in rugby that can quickly change,” De La Cloche continued.
“Jersey’s defence in the second half showed heart and we never stopped or switched off, showing amazing grit and resilience under pressure.”
In the midst of this all-out duel, Jersey then gained the upper hand to take control in Canterbury’s half yet again, with a promising passage of quick passing play raising hopes for a score. It just wasn’t meant to be, however, as Moolasiwa dropped it on the wing to halt their progress, with conditions taking its toll.
Canterbury then struck back with an opportunity of their own, as Crowe was hungry for another score to charge forward. As the clock ran down, the reds were forced to give their all to stop the visitors on their own try line, with some all-out efforts smothering Canterbury’s late advances.
A fierce battle for control in the middle of the park wrapped up a fierce duel, as full-time saw the local stars prevail 14-7. This win sees them tied with Hove Women, who are now leading the table due to points difference.
With another win under their belts, Jersey RFC Women now have their sights set on their next fixture, with a blockbuster encounter with the league-leading Hove Women promising fireworks.
“We have had a great first half of the season and, unlike last season, we haven’t been hit by so many injuries. We have also welcomed loads of new players into the fold who are absolutely smashing it on the pitch every game,” the skipper reflected.
“Going into this season, we knew we had the potential to do well in this league, and we’re proving this to be the case, now looking forward to our next game.”
Jersey RFC Women: [15-9] Lucy Kendrick, Wilailak Moolasiwa, Georgina Ruellan, Gemma Lowe, Molly Büsel, Emily Duncan, Bethan Hughes, [1-8] Nicole Rodrigues Magalhaes, Hannah Le Moignan, Eleanor Downing, Abbie Syvret, Emilie Langlands, Andi Vaughan, Katie De La Cloche (c), Kerry Bisson-Mercury.
Replacements: Joanne Shipton-Taylor, Ella Vieira, Abi Lappage, Willow Le Luan, Bethany Wyatt, Jenna McKinley, Kimberley Vallance
Canterbury Women: [15-9] Grace Rossiter, Emmie Clarke, Layla Little, Emily Kent, Alice Hayward, Emily Moriarty, Darcy McMahon, [1-8] Elizabeth Deverson, Inger Philpott, Ellie Rowe, Nicole Money, Claire Bernthal, Lily Rose Payne, Lily-Inger Philpott, Eleanor Crowe.
Replacements: Tazmyn Marks, Mimi Montgomery, Ellie Desborough, Mary Trimmer, Rebecca Sheene
