RUTHLESS. Jersey RFC displayed clear signs of a team that belong at greater heights, with a resounding 73-28 victory at home to London Irish Wild Geese.
The lead stands at 16 points over their closest opponents Winchester, with the possibility of wrapping up the title when the Islanders venture to the UK the weekend after next.
Head coach Myles Landick said that “the team had felt like they let the supporters down” during their previous home fixture, which ended in defeat.
However, defeat only seemed to stoke the fire upon their return to CoinShares Park, as the men in red racked up their highest points tally of the Regional 2 South Central season.
Eleven tries, with hat-tricks from Scott van Breda and Jack Macfarlane, two apiece for George Willmott and Jerry Sexton capped off with a brilliant solo try from homegrown winger Sam Harvey. A performance worthy of the 800 in attendance.
A side ageing like a fine wine, and a core group of players that are loving every minute of doing battle together.
Clinical were the Caesareans. There was an air of expectation every time they ventured into the Irish 22 and more often than not, those visits turned to points.
“Mitch [James Mitchell] has been brilliant with the attack and making sure the boys are using their skill set and tipping,” said Landick
“It’s unbelievable how much space we open up when defenders bite in on attacking players.
“He has really been working wonders with the attack and it proved this game, with 73 points on the board.
“They managed to score quite a few of their own, with a couple tries off our errors and wanting to play and having the freedom to do so because of the scoreline.
Landick, who recently became Jersey RFC’s director of rugby, is a proud supporter of the homegrown talent that Jersey has on offer.
Extending opportunities to graduating colts since his side tiptoed into the unknown world of the English rugby union system.
Just one of those who came through the minis and juniors is Sam Harvey, whose hard work and desire has earned him plenty of minutes on the Jersey wing.
Landick said of his young back: “What an incredible experience for a young Jerseyman like Sam.
“The supporters of Jersey rugby are very proud of their own here and he has worked so hard this season to grow as a player.
“Getting the ball on the wing, in front of a huge home crowd and going the whole way to score.
“moments like that make all the work in training worthwhile.
“We were all delighted for him.”
Sprinkled in with the local members of the squad are a pair of talented players from the proud rugby nation of South Africa.
Bevan Biggs and Jacques de la Bat look like players who have been in the squad for years, such the way they have gelled.
“They have really fit in well with the group. The boys have loved having them around.
“We have so much depth and talent in the squad now and the competition for places is higher than ever.
“Winchester is the big one now. If we are able to pick five points up there away from home, that would seal us the league, so that is where our attentions turn to now.”
