ROYALS RFC will pen a considerable landmark into their history book this weekend as they host a league match for the first time.
The grassroots club is set to welcome Pulborough 2nds onto Island soil on Saturday afternoon for a Sussex 2 Championship clash that ends a six-year wait for competitive action at home.
Formed in 2016 to reinvigorate the social side of the game in Jersey, Royals initially settled for one-off friendlies and exhibition tournaments at Grainville and in the UK, before applying to enter the RFU league ladder in 2020. Their league debut was subsequently delayed by the pandemic, until this season, and all of their league matches to date have been played on the mainland, as a result of Covid-related travel restrictions.
Having won five from five in Sussex 3 Central and achieved a mid-term promotion, Royals are now aiming for a place among the top three in the second tier.
‘This is our first ever league game on home soil, which is a massive milestone in our short history,’ said captain Cameron Quérée.
‘We are really keen to play at home again. The last time we had a home game was February 2020 and a lot has changed since then. Finally getting out there again in front of our friends and family will be a big boost to the team and I’m sure not having to travel will also have a good impact for us.’
Royals suffered their first defeat last time out, at leaders Hove 3rds.
‘The game itself is important,’ Quérée said of this weekend’s outing, on Jersey Reds Athletic’s pitch at St Peter. ‘We have the chance to bounce back from our last run-out, which we were disappointed with. We really want to get it right in front of our fans. We have trained hard and also had our first inter-squad game last week to help prepare. We’re raring to go and keep our positive season going.’
Kick off is at 1pm.
