AT a time when rugby on the Island needs as many shots in the arm as it can possibly get, Jersey RFC are certainly doing their very best.
And on a weekend when the global game’s finest entertained the world over in France, Myles Landick’s men were also pleasing on the eye as they eased past a dogged Guildford side 47–29 to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
The Islanders’ latest win – their second in Surrey in less than a month – keeps them at the summit of Regional Two South Central, and on track for another promotion.
However, they certainly didn’t have it all their own way at Broadwater Park, and required the experience and know-how of former Jersey Reds man, Scott van Breda, to keep them on track.
Nathan Rogers got Jersey up and running after an arm-wrestle of an opening quarter, two penalties from van Breda kept the scoreboard ticking over in the face of a strong riposte from the hosts.
A tight opening 40 minutes was reflected on the scoreboard at the interval, Jersey turning around six points ahead thanks to George Willmott’s barrel across the whitewash.
The third quarter of the contest, though, was key in settling the outcome.
Jersey’s back division found a rhythm and cohesiveness much more akin to their normal style, and as they stretched the game in the wide areas, two scores from scrum-half Max Harrington and winger Anushan Elanco delivered the bonus point.
Guildford, though, were in no mood to let the afternoon whimper out and continued to probe and ask questions, allowing them to pick up a losing bonus point of their own.
Skipper Alex Jordan, on his 150th appearance, deservedly got his name on the scoresheet late on and, even though Jersey always had the option of slipping into fourth gear as and when required, there were sore bodies aplenty at full-time, given the often lung-aching nature of the game.
Two scores from Euan Spencer completed a thoroughly satisfying afternoon for Landick’s group, bolstered in the week by the appointment of another former Red in James Mitchell as backs and attack coach.
He will get to work this week ahead of the visit of struggling Salisbury, who have lost their previous five on the bounce.
Mitchell, who will also be involved in a playing capacity, could well be included in the matchday squad on Saturday to pick up crucial minutes ahead of the trip to London Irish Wild Geese in early November.
The amateur arm of the now defunct former Premiership club have also made a fine start to the season, but only just scraped past Winchester to keep their streak intact.
The clash at Hazelwood Drive may well go some way to crystallising the promotion picture, with Wild Geese having plied their trade in the National Leagues as little as five years ago.
Jersey RFC [1-15]: Joe Ridgway, Evan Whitson, Tom Wilson, Euan Spencer, Tom Tilstone, Brian Njomba, Tim Corson, George Willmott, Max Harrington, Scott van Breda, Anushan Elanco, Nathan Rogers, Tom Bulfin, Sam Harvey, Charlie Hubert. Replacements: Ewan Davies, Cameron Halliwell, Cameron Queree.
