JERSEY RFC Women’s head coach, Simon Le Moignan, paid tribute to his squad ahead of tomorrow’s coronation as champions of the NC 2 South East (South) league.
The Caesarean outfit were effectively handed the title without breaking sweat after a series of events concerning their title rivals (in the loosest sense of the word considering Jersey’s dominance this season) Seaford, who handed Crawley an away walkover, were deducted five points, then lost to Beccehamians.
Jersey welcome bottom side Beckenham II tomorrow [kick-off 2.30pm] in their penultimate league game of the season and, with the league now done and dusted, attentions turn to preparing for next month’s Siam Cup in Guernsey.
“It will be the icing on the cake if we can top off the home league campaign in style,” said Le Moignan.
“All season, the intensity in training has been really good and everybody comments on how they play exciting rugby as well.
“We’ve also had new players come in who have slotted in straight away, which is fantastic. It shows the work we’ve been building on.
“We’ve had some senior players injured but the girls have stepped in their shoes and there’s been no drop in standards. They’re all at a level now and they’re all pushing and making it more difficult to select the side.
“It keeps everyone engaged and everyone wants to get out there with a red shirt on, which is brilliant.”
It has been a comfortable season for Jersey, with just one loss out of 12 games and a whopping points difference of plus 327. Next season, in NC1, their opponents will provide a significant step-up in calibre, but that is exactly what Le Moignan and his team want.
“We looked at the table at Christmas and since then we have already been preparing for next season,” added Le Moignan.
“We know we’re not going to win every game, we’re not going to be putting 50 or 60 points on teams, but we’ve always got one eye on next season, which is good.
“As a sports person, you always want to win but you also want to be tested.”
Jersey RFC Women to face Beckenham II [1-15]: Amber Hopwood, Hannah Le Moignan, Lucy Hart, Abbie Syvret (vc), Emilie Langlands, Seren Coombs, Katie de la Cloche (c), Kerry Bisson-Mercury, Ashling Magner (vc), Laura Turpin, Lisa Saout, Emily Hart, Taye Boake-Yiadom, Georgina Ruellan, Tina Davies. Replacements: Kirsten Slatter, Becka Hunter, Franky Vautier, Helen Papworth, Charlie Cornwall, Saskia Martins, Claudia McGuigan.
