TOMORROW’S trip to Winchester marks Jersey RFC’s 40th league match since entering the English rugby union system and victory over their old Hampshire foes would seal a 39th win in that time.
With it, would come consecutive promotions and another chapter etched into the storied annals of Jersey Rugby Club.
Myles Landick and his cohort have helped galvanise a proud rugby Island that was still licking its wounds following the untimely demise of Jersey Reds.
Regularly attracting hundreds of adoring fans to CoinShares Park, the men in red have reignited the Caesarean passion for amateur rugby and the smile that each who graces the turf wear is a striking reminder that this current crop are more than a sports team. They are a family.
To be frank, the numbers behind the victories are nothing short of staggering.
From 17 wins, Jersey have amassed 876 points while only coughing up 370 in reply, and 139 points from their last two fixtures hints at an outfit only growing in strength.
The astonishing record of one league loss since September 2022 only delineates a fraction of the tale.
Gliding across the turf with such grace and panache, it is plain for all to see that these Islanders belong at far greater heights than those they currently occupy.
Hosts Winchester are far from slouches themselves. With 13 wins from 18, it is them who find themselves in second spot behind Jersey, albeit 17 points adrift.
For the hosts, there is an inevitable feeling of history repeating itself after coming runners up to Myles Landick’s men last season in Counties 1 Hampshire.
While there is little chance to mount any sort of challenge to dethrone the Islanders, Winchester will be desperate to ensure the impending coronation is not in their back yard.
Landick said: “We know that they will be desperate to prevent us from winning at their ground.
“Unless I’m hugely mistaken, that would have been a big talking point for them this week.
“We know we don’t want to go there and be red in the face and sent home packing with a loss.
“But we are in great form. We are confident, but far from arrogant.
“Guildford managed to beat us this season, so we cannot take any game for granted, especially against a strong side like Winchester.”
Although Landick is only at liberty to name 18 players for matchday, the entire squad were offered the chance to travel and 30 in total are set to venture over to the mainland for what they hope will be the defining moment of the campaign.
“There are so many people that have led us to this point. From players, to staff and those behind the scenes, everyone has played their part and it was important for us to give them an opportunity to make the journey,” said the head coach.
“We had a little rest last week and managed to get 33 players at training on Tuesday, which is honestly epic.
“The squad that we have are so close and I think it really shows in the way they fight for each other on the pitch.”
In terms of personnel, a near mirror image of the side that dismantled London Irish Wild Geese last time out has been named.
The only change comes in the forwards, where Jerry Sexton is unavailable, freeing up a place for Tom Tilstone.
Prop Jack Macfarlane and full-back Scott van Breda both scored hat-tricks against Wild Geese two weeks ago and will look to cause Winchester similar problems among the forwards and backs respectively.
Action from Winchester is set to begin at 3pm.
Jersey RFC to face Winchester [1-15]: Joe Ridgway, Jack Macfarlane, Tom Wilson, Euan Spencer, Tom Tilstone, Evan Whitson (c), Tim Corson, George Willmott, Max Harrington, Aaron Penberthy, Bevan Biggs, Nathan Rogers, Dom Mayo, Sam Harvey, Scott van Breda. Replacements: George Thomas, Nathan Thomas, Jacques de la Bat.
Regional 2 South Central
P W D L PF PA Diff BP Pts
Jersey RFC 18 17 0 1 876 370 506 19 87
Winchester 18 13 1 4 548 294 254 17 71
Tottonians 18 13 0 5 599 379 220 14 66
Guildford 18 10 1 7 574 397 177 15 57
London Irish WG 18 10 0 8 547 519 28 16 56
Witney 18 10 0 8 375 368 7 12 52
Farnham 18 7 0 11 570 474 96 20 48
Wimborne 18 7 1 10 409 566 -157 12 42
Newbury Blues 18 7 0 11 322 526 -204 5 33
Chichester 18 5 1 12 392 500 -108 10 32
Salisbury 18 4 0 14 272 715 -443 4 20
Reading 18 3 0 15 264 640 -376 5 17
