JERSEY RFC Women are set to welcome fifth-placed Medway Ladies to CoinShares Park tomorrow, looking to get back to winning ways, following defeat on the road to Horsham Women last weekend.
Jersey were only able to name 16 players for the journey to West Sussex, plagued by injury and unavailability.
Many who were available had to play in unfamiliar positions, with the experienced forward duo of Abbie Syvret and captain Katie De La Cloche forced to slot in amongst the backs to plug the gaps.
Despite the odds stacked against them, the side hung in and never relented, with Horsham eventually able to breech the red barricades to score a couple tries late on for victory.
Georgina Ruellan has quickly become a key figure for her team over the past couple of seasons and, even in defeat, the back “has never felt so connected and close to the team” once the final whistle was blown.
“We might have came away with a loss in the end, which was unfortunate. But, in so many ways, it felt like a win, in the way we stuck together and kept our heads high throughout.
“To only have 16 players, there were some sore and tired bodies out there towards the end, but no one gave in and that was such an incredible feeling and so nice to be a part of. We have spoken about togetherness and that is what’s most important to us. The girls who are standing next to you are family. They’re putting their bodies on the line every week for you and I love that. It’s such a nice squad to be a part of.”
Visiting Medway meanwhile, picked up their first win of the campaign last weekend, with a hard-fought 21-19 success at home to Heathfield & W Ladies.
Despite sitting mid-table, the side from Kent have performed better than their position suggests, falling 36-25 in their opening game over league leaders Dartford Valley Ladies, before losing by just two points at Canterbury Women.
With a lack of personnel expected to impact Jersey’s starting line-up again tomorrow, Medway will provide a stern test to the Islanders, if they wish to get back in the win column.
Faced with challenges, the typical response is either “fight” or “flight”.
But, as Ruellan put it, “we won’t cower away at all.”
“The sort of squad we are, we will run towards any challenge and meet it head on,” she added. “Last week, players were slotting into unfamiliar positions and just embraced it.
“Whether you got it right or wrong during a particular phase, it didn’t matter because you knew you had all your teammates there supporting you whatever the outcome.
“You just pick yourself up, and go again. That’s exactly what it’ll be tomorrow. Losses teach us a lot about ourselves.
“They are a key aspect to sport. How can you expect to enjoy the highs, without experiencing and embracing the lows along the way.”
As part of a doubleheader with Jersey RFC, the Women’s fixture is scheduled for a 12.30 kick-off from St Peter.
Jersey RFC Women’s Squad to face Medway Ladies
[1-15]: Nicole Rodrugues Magalhaes, Beth Rosser, Holly Bertram, Ella Vieira, Emily Langlands, Lucy Hart, Katie De La Cloche, Seren Coombs, Bethan Hughes, Laura Turpin, Rebekah Troy, Abbie Syvret, Georgina Ruellan, Tina Davies, Kim Hacquoil. Replacements: Kirsten Slatter, Morgan Carter, Kim Vallance, Megan McCabe
