THE habitual template of Jersey RFC looking to keep up their winning run had to be re-designed this week, after falling to London Welsh 28-36 at home – but there were plenty of Jersey positives from the battle and much to take into another stern test at Camberley tomorrow.
The Islanders found themselves 0-19 down inside the first 20 minutes, before mounting a heroic effort to close the gap in the second-half, against a side that now sit on eight wins from as many Regional 1 South Central games.
With just three losses from 60 previous league games, aiming to bounce back from defeat is an unfamiliar feeling for Myles Landick’s men, but the head coach believes that “disappointment will only fuel the fire”.
“Regardless of whether we had beaten [London] Welsh or not, we knew the match against Camberley will be really tough.
“I think the feeling after the loss was more frustration than anything.
“We know we could have won that game if it wasn’t for the way we started and I think, if we had an extra ten minutes, we would have pegged them back.
“But that’s rugby and it’s about how we pick ourselves up for tomorrow and make sure we beat a very strong Camberley side.
“On Tuesday, we had a really productive video session to go through the bits and pieces that perhaps we didn’t do so well.
“Sometimes when you’re winning, you’re less inclined to really hone in on the work-ons, so it was a good opportunity to give some clarity on player roles and responsibilities.
“As a coaching group, we want to do a bit more of that and make sure we are focusing on both improvements to be made and also what is going well.”
The key area of strength for Jersey during the season so far is undoubtedly the strength in the forwards, both from open play and the set-piece.
In their biggest test to date, those in red still dominated up front against Welsh, and it has become a staple of the Islanders’ play in recent games.
Continuity has been key, and once again those familiar faces grace the starting 15 tomorrow, with just one change from the side against Welsh.
Club captain Evan Whitson is handed his first start of the campaign at the expense of Tom Tilstone, after the Welshman made a welcome return from injury off the bench last weekend.
More positive news stems from the backs, as the experienced Scott Van Breda slots in at fly-half, while Mark Boarer’s return at full-back proves timely, following Ethan Huish’s knock against Welsh.
“It’s obviously great to have Scotty and Mark back. They both add so much to the side,” added Landick.
“We have had some real consistency in the pack this season and the battle for starting spots has been fierce.
“Overall, I’m really happy with the squad for tomorrow, but we know what to expect.
“They [Camberley] have won six games in a row and were only narrowly beaten by London Welsh, in a game they should have probably won.
“They have a big, heavy pack and like to scrum as we do. So the battle up front will be really interesting.
“These are the tests our guys relish and they are all really up for tomorrow.”
Action from Watchetts Recreation Ground is set to get underway at 2pm tomorrow.
Jersey RFC to face Camberley [1-15]: Huw Owen, Jack Macfarlane, Tom Wilson, Max Ayling, Cameron Keys, Euan Spencer, Evan Whitson (c), Jerry Sexton, Liam Rhodes, Scott Van Breda, Jacques de la Bat, Dylan Stocks, Tom Bulfin, Bevan Biggs, Mark Boarer. Replacements: Joe Ridgway, Tom Tilstone, Callum Cuthbert
