“I DON’T think the boys know just how good they could be.”
Those were the rousing words of Jersey RFC attack and backs coach and player, Scott Van Breda, after his side secured a stunning 34-14 away victory over Tunbridge Wells in their first match of the new campaign last Saturday.
Stepping up to level five of the English rugby pyramid, the men in red have certainly laid the gauntlet down to the rest of the league on their Regional 1 South Central debut.
Van Breda, standing in as captain for their first game of the new campaign in the absence of Evan Whitson, has spoken in recent weeks about the challenges of away fixtures in this league and the importance of getting off to a good start.
“We all know and have spoken about this league being a good jump for us,” he said.
“Starting off with back-to-back away trips is something we knew for a while and had to just accept. But we have been training in a way to make us as solid as possible defensively, knowing how tough these away days will naturally be.
“We have always been strong in attack, but to spend time in pre-season working defensively and then to turn out a performance like that on Saturday was sensational.”
It was the ever-impressive Max Harrington who got the new season underway with their first try, which he would double to make it an opening day brace to start the new campaign.
Mark Boarer also joined Harrington with two tries of his own, alongside one apiece from Euan Spencer and Gene Symington.
Van Breda himself assumed kicking duties in the absence of regular fly-half, Aaron Penberthy, and was extremely impressed with his team’s output from the first whistle.
“I thought we controlled the game perfectly,” the former professional continued.
“I think we had around 75% possession and territory for most of the game which, away from home, is basically the ideal scenario.
“I don’t think the boys quite know yet how good they can be.
“There were many times last season where the game felt in our hands early and we just had to manage the game, but this was a match where we really dominated and controlled it from the start.
“We can now carry this momentum on into the next game and all the boys are really excited to see where we can go with it.”
