TEN IN A ROW is a delicious prospect for any fan of a sports team and is something on the horizon for local rugby fans, as Jersey RFC Men head to Camberley tomorrow hoping to move their winning streak into double digits.
Myles Landick’s men have responded to last season’s disappointment of a runners-up medal in ruthless fashion, sweeping all aside so far this campaign with class and panache.
However, the director of rugby describes tomorrow’s clash with Camberley as “another really tough away day in store.”
From a spectator’s view, at times this season the gulf between the Caesareans and the rest of the league has looked worlds apart. Despite this, members within the setup are keeping their feet firmly on the ground and their eyes fixed forward.
Camberley are a new fixture for Jersey this season. However, if league placings are anything to go by, their 9th place record with just two wins from nine could make for a tough afternoon for the Surrey-based side.
Landick himself admitted that “Camberley have probably not reached the heights they would have liked to yet this season.”
Jersey’s experienced hooker and leading try scorer, Jack ‘Diesel’ Macfarlane, said in a jovial mood that his side were “pretty excited for this one.”
Referring to last week’s 14–7 home win over Bracknell in torrential rain, Macfarlane joked: “Hopefully we can play in some better conditions than last week and actually play some rugby!”
“We had a good training session on Tuesday night and the lads are buzzing to play,” he continued. “The possibility of securing a tenth straight win is great, but Camberley aren’t going to be easy. Every team plays like it’s their cup final against us, so we’ve got to be sharp and go out and step our own performance up a level.”
Jersey have played five of their nine games to date on the road and their form has been scintillating, scoring a total of 243 points to just 93 conceded.
Camberley, on the other hand, have had five of their nine at home. Despite recording an impressive 19–12 win over Farnham, they have suffered four further tight defeats in games they certainly could claim they could have won.
These include a 42–46 defeat to London Scottish Lions, a 32–36 loss to Old Alleynians, a disappointing 17–26 loss to Hammersmith & Fulham, and most recently, a tough 30–33 defeat to Tunbridge Wells last weekend.
Including tomorrow, Jersey RFC still have four games until the Christmas break. Macfarlane admitted that reaching that stage unbeaten would be “a good marker to lay down,” but also accepts that there are “a bunch of games on the bounce until then.”
“There’s loads of challenges this time of year brings,” continued the Scotsman, “it’s a cliché, but we have to take it week by week, or we could easily come unstuck against one of these teams.”
A slightly changed XV for Jersey features some familiar key names in Macfarlane, Max Ayling, and Dan Barnes. However, captain Evan Whitson’s absence this week with a slight knock means Lewis Wynne returns to the side and vice-captain Scott Van Breda will don the armband.
Fans will also notice two new names making the squad this week after earning call-ups from the Colts.
Jonty O’Sullivan starting at scrum half and Alex Neasham named in the replacements are both just 17 years old and have earned their first senior call-ups from the Colts setup.
Head coach Myles Landick was particularly enthused by the introduction of the two new names, expressing that “the pathway is alive and kicking.”
“I think we’re looking really strong at the moment,” added Landick regarding tomorrow’s squad. “There’s a slight shuffle around in the back line, but I’m really pleased with how we’re looking. Lewis Evans coming back from injury is a nice plus for us too.
“To have two Colts in the 18-man squad really does show that our pathway is working well. To see these lads progress from Colts into senior rugby is exactly what we’re trying to do and we’re delighted to get to offer those lads that opportunity, they deserve it.
“For us, it shows that if you put the hard work in that we’re not afraid to make those calls and give people opportunities who earn them.
“For two 17-year-olds to be playing and in the squad is fantastic, it’s not easy to bring those younger players into the first team due to the physicality and jump in standard, but they’re very much deserved of their place and I hope they go well.”
Macfarlane also commented on his latest two teammates, adding: “It’s class, having a couple of young lads join us is huge. They’ve been training really well and have earned a shot, and it’s huge for the club to bring talented young players through.
“It’s also great to keep the older guys on their toes when the young guys are pushing hard.”
Action from Camberley is set to kick off tomorrow at 2pm.
