JERSEY RFC Women stood their ground on home turf, commanding the game to come out 22-0 on top over Medway Women.
Following what was one of the season’s highlights matches so far in their last encounter, where the Caesareans narrowly edged ahead 29-27 following a huge comeback, the hosts really did flip the script to control this fixture.
Despite miserable, drizzly conditions greeting the competitors, Jersey RFC Women came out firing on all cylinders from the off.
Star Georgina Ruellan utilised her exceptional carrying skills to run through a rather lackadaisical Medway line to score the first try, giving them a 5-0 lead within the first couple minutes after the missed conversion.
There was no sign of momentum dropping, as skipper Katie De La Cloche capped off a strong advance with a try of her own, pushing herself over the line in the 28th minute. The conversion was missed once again, making it 10-0.
After the opening 30 minutes produced the fireworks of two tries, the next segment of the game bore witness to quite the deadlock, as Medway were beginning to play their way into the game.
The visitors surely made themselves known to really hit back with some threatening attacks, but the women in red showcased excellent defensive play to hold firm, keeping Medway scoreless.
This tussle for control continued well into the second half, with neither side able to establish a controlling grasp on the match.
However, Jersey’s line never broke, as the hosts put in a ton of great tackles and exhibited great defensive structure to deny Medway of any scoring opportunities.
As the minutes went by, Jersey then turned things around to get back on the offensive, playing their way back into control.
A strong passage of passing play and some big runs from the likes of Ruellan and Kerry Bisson-Mercury saw Jersey end up right on the try line, in strong position to add another score.
As Ruellan was stopped just shy of the try line, number 11 Gigi Cooke scooped up the ball and made a tidy manoeuvre to swerve herself out of trouble, crossing the line to extend the lead by another five points in the 76th minute. Fern Moolasiwa then proceeded to score the hosts’ first conversion of the day, making it 17-0.
Cooke was anything but finished with try-scoring, as she showed her quality with a highlight-reel try just a few minutes afterwards, catching Medway’s kick before showcasing her immense pace to sprint round and slide over the line, making it 22-0.
Following that action-packed segment of the match, Jersey RFC Women were then able to see out the rest of the game with their strong defensive line.
This big win has made a huge statement, catapulting the reds to second in the table, just one point off the league-leading Dorking Women.
Jersey RFC Women: (15-9) Lucy Kendrick, Fern Moolasiwa, Georgina Ruellan, Bethan Hughes, Gigi Cooke, Emily Duncan, Laura Turpin. (1-8) Nicole Rodrigues Magalhães, 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, Sinéad Hanrahan.
Medway Women: (15-9) Kate Young, Tierney Wootton, Caitlin Cohen-Brown, Chloe Siddall, Sian Fullarton, Esme Conway, Laura Charter. (1-8) Alix Davies, Steph Rukin, Gemma Duncan, Amy Coates, Beth Bradley, Keturah Albertini-Watts, Ellen MacDonald, Caroline Jordan (C). Replacements: Michelle Darby, Olivia Collins, Steph Keyworth.
Women’s NC 1 South East (South)
