JERSEY RFC WOMEN host Medway Women tomorrow at CoinShares Park, set for a 12pm start, for a repeat of one of the games of the season so far.
Memories of their last encounter will still be fresh in the minds of both sets of players and fans alike. Jersey’s comeback, last-gasp win over Medway in November could only possibly be topped by their sensational late win last time out over Horsham Women.
Their 27-24 comeback over Horsham was nothing short of iconic, although the farcical ending to that game did play a part, but it was a crucial win nonetheless.
Finding themselves 5-24 down at half time, Abbie Syvret, two from Georgina Ruellan and a late Bethan Hughes winner was enough to move Jersey above their opponents tomorrow into third place in the Women’s NC 1 South East (south) division.
Although having played one more game than those above them, Jersey are not completely out of the title race just yet. Through nine games, they sit on 30 points with six wins and three defeats, just six points off top spot.
More importantly in the short term however will be holding onto their third place spot. Medway Women also have a game in hand over the islanders, but now sit four points back after Jersey’s last win.
A Jersey win tomorrow would open up clear daylight between them and the chasing pack, Medway most particular, and move their eyes upwards in the table as they can turn their attention to catching Hove Women in second.
Jersey’s visit to Medway in the reverse fixture on November 8 proved another classic comeback win, arguably one of their best in the club’s history. Four first half tries for Medway gave them a 22-5 advantage at the halfway stage, but a brace of tries each for Laura Turpin saw them back into the game and two from Georgina Ruellan, including the winner with the last action of the 80 sealed the astonishing win.
Ruellan described that moment as “a feeling I’ll never forget”, and the delighted scenes of celebration at full time showed just how big a win that was, a win that at the time moved them to top of the table.
Jersey will come full of confidence for tomorrow’s fixture with those memories. However, on the other side of that will be the bitter taste in the mouth for Medway, who will no doubt be looking for revenge for such a tough defeat.
Medway began the year with a win over Horsham to move them to a three-game winning streak. However, they fell away from home last time out in a 12-22 defeat to Canterbury, admittedly in a game over a month ago.
With a four week rest and a chip on their shoulder, Medway Women could well prove a mighty stern test for Katie De La Cloche and her teammates tomorrow. Action from CoinShares Park is scheduled for a 12pm start.
JRFC Women’s squad to face Medway Women
JRFC Women’s XV: [15-9] Lucy Kendrick, Fern Moolasiwa, Georgina Ruellan, Bethan Hughes, Gigi Cooke, Emily Duncan, Laura Turpin; [1-8] Nicole Rodrigues Magalhaes, Hannah Le Moignan, Morgan Carter, Abbie Syvret, Emilie Langlands, Andi Vaughan, Katie De La Cloche (c), Ella Vieira
Replacements: Emma Cornick, Jo Shipton-Taylor, Kim Vallance, Kerry Bisson-Mercury, Tina Davies, Sinead Hanrahan
Women’s NC 1 South East (South)
