IN a fixture where Jersey RFC Women ventured to the mainland with just 16 players at their disposal, the Caesareans fought valiantly to blow hosts Beccehamian Ladies away 59-17.
It was plain sailing for Simon Le Moignan’s side in sealing a seventh win from their opening eight played in Women’s NC 2 South East (South).
The Islanders now have a nine-point buffer atop the table, boasting an incredible points difference of +219. To put that in perspective, the next best is Seaford Ladies in second with +77.
Top try-scorer Georgina Ruellan was once again imperious, adding three more to her tally on the year.
While, exciting teenage prospect Seren Coombs “dominated” the game throughout, all while scoring a hat-trick on debut for the senior side.
The excitement around the 17-year-old has been bubbling since RFC Women welcomed the forward into the set-up, but Le Moignan confessed that “it was hard to imagine quite how good she would be” in her first appearance for the team.
Meanwhile, in a performance where everyone played their part, scrum-half Ashling Magner orchestrated play beautifully both with ball in hand and a strong kicking game to put the hosts under pressure.
If that was not enough, the back converted all eight Jersey tries, along with a penalty kick to boot.
For Magner, who was injured last August – only returning just prior to Christmas, just “feeling the atmosphere again” was worth the long road to recovery.
She said: “It’s been brilliant to be back with the girls.
“I struggle to sit still on the best of days, so not being able to play for a few months during the first half of the year was difficult.
“But there’s such a buzz around this team at the moment. From training to matchday, everyone works so hard and really pulls for each other.
“We have had five or six new girls come into the fold this year and they have fitted in seamlessly into the squad.
“The strength in depth is there and the competition for places is more fierce that ever.
“I think that has really motivated everyone to work harder for their selection.”
While the number one priority for Magner and co entering the business end of the season is promotion, there is one eye fixed firmly on the future of the team.
“We always have takeaways from each game, regardless of how comfortably we win,” she added.
“The team is so driven and we want not only to get promoted, but be in a place to thrive next season if we get into the league above.
“We also have the Siam Cup at the end of the season, which is always a massive fixture and all our work feels like a build-up to that contest at the same time as aiming to win the league.”
As well as the pair of hat-tricks for Coombs and Ruellen, both wings Saskia Martin and Lisa Saout also grabbed a try apiece in a well-rounded display.
The tandem were also superb defensively, making crucial open field tackles in space to take potential Beccehamian tries off the board.
Head coach Le Moignan said: “It was an unbelievable performance.”
“To travel with only 16 players and put in a shift like that was exceptional.
“From top to bottom, both attacking and in defence, the girls were so well drilled.”
Le Moignan was also somewhat lost for words in describing the impact of the talented Coombs on his team, adding: “She was absolutely unstoppable. I think she might have made a couple opposition players consider retiring the way she played.
“We all knew she was special. But it was hard to imagine quite how brilliant she would be on debut.”
In Coombs, RFC Women might have just found their next great star. With dreams of playing professional rugby down the line, there are few who would bet against the Caesarean teenager realising those aspirations in years to come.
