Jersey RFC vs Nottingham RFC

High flying Nottingham come to St Peter on Saturday 16th February, to take on a Jersey side boosted by four wins in the last five at home. A game that could see Jersey put real daylight between themselves and bottom club Doncaster with a result that would really announce the arrival of the Reds in English rugby's second tier.

History of Nottingham Rugby

 

The generally accepted date of the formation of Nottingham Rugby Football Club came about when 16 year old Alick Birkin returned to Nottingham from Rugby School in 1877. The club was formed by Birkin gathering some of his friends around him who wanted to play, and thus formed a rugby team. Despite this fact, the earliest reports of matches in the local press weren’t published until 1885/86, and the first minutes of an AGM only date back to 1898.

Birkin, or Sir Alexander Russell Birkin to give him his full title, maintained an active interest in the club until he died in 1942. It was not the end of the Birkin association however as his family members continued to be associated with the club up till 1956.

It was this family’s staunch commitment to the club that not only ensured Nottingham Rugby’s creation but guaranteed that there was a continued rugby presence in the area. Even their previous ground at Ireland Avenue, was given to the club in 1904 by Alicks brother, Leslie Birkin. Ireland Avenue remained the club's home until its sale in 2006.

Basic amenities took a while to be developed. The first changing rooms were only built in 1929, the players having previously changed in the Victoria Pub. An undisclosed ‘incident or incidents’ caused their banishment to the stables, where both teams shared a single domestic bath. I’m not entirely convinced the current players would approve of that setup!

The ground was part of the flood meadow of the River Trent, and throughout the first 75 years of its use, it was noted as a mud pit. The high water table in the area made it difficult to drain and the problems were exacerbated by alterations to the Rivers Trent and Leen. Eventually these problems were overcome after spending £15,000 in drainage some 20 years ago.

Despite a lack of silverware Nottingham has had its share of talented players, V.H. Cartwright (14 caps) was Nottingham's first international, playing from 1904 to 1906. He captained England before becoming a referee, then moving onto becoming  a selector and eventually President of the RFU. In the club's heyday, in the late 1980s, they had a number of top international players representing the first XV. These included Simon Hodgkinson, Rob Andrew, Dusty Hare, Chris Oti and Brian Moore (who also became a British Lion whilst in Nottingham colours) representing England and Chris Gray representing Scotland. Slightly earlier than this David Jones played 19 times for Wales, and is still working within the club to this day.

In a sadly all too familiar story, the advent of professionalism saw the Green and Whites fall on hard times, and the first XV narrowly avoided relegation into the regional divisions in 2002/03. The club has bounced back strongly since then and was promoted into our current league (then called the National League One) in 2003/04. The club finished a creditable seventh in 2005/06 before leaving Ireland Avenue after 102 years to reside at the Meadow Lane ground they share with Nott’s County Football Club. Finishing in the top five every season since 2007/08 there is real belief that this team can mount a serious challenge in the end of season play offs where barring a huge loss of form, they seem set for a place in the semi finals.

Nottingham in 2012/13

After head Coach Glenn Delaney's departure in the summer after seven years, joining London Irish as Forwards Coach, new head coach and former Bath Lock Martin Haag was appointed. The 47 year old played nearly 300 games for Bath winning two England caps in that time, both against Argentina in 1997. He has coaching experience both at Bath and in the England Under 18 and Under 20 set-ups.

Nottingham Rugby has attracted the tag of the most exciting team in the division. This is backed up by having four of the leagues’ top fourteen try scorers, with only last weeks opponents Bedford scoring more tries overall. Very strong at Meadow Lane, losing only once and giving good thrashings to London Scottish, Bristol, Doncaster as well as putting 48 points on Jersey earlier this season. Any championship challenge has been curtailed however with a less than convincing performance on the road, losing all of their matches against their play off rivals whilst only beating the struggling sides. Having said all this, those of you who tuned into the recent televised match against Bedford will realise that the 25-17 score line flattered Bedford, and that Nottingham are a side who when they get going will tear teams apart (let’s hope for another mud bath). The latest form guide showed that until last weekend they had won six in a row, but their shock loss to Scottish that saw them lose second place in the table will no doubt be a kick up the backside that will bring their all guns blazing attitude to St Peter today. There appears to be real belief in the camp that Jersey can get something out of this match, buoyed on by a big vocal home crowd, and with home matches looking scarce points are becoming increasingly valuable. Nottingham are without doubt a classy act, but with only Newcastle lowering the home colours in the last five, and Nottingham losing four from six league matches away from home, another shock is not beyond the reds.

 

 

Who to look out for.

Tim Streather.

Wing/Outside Centre.

The most prolific play-off try scorer in Nottingham history makes Streather a player who can be relied on in big occasions. Even in an injury hit campaign, the versatile back, who is comfortable at either centre or on the wing, coupled with his love for flamboyance, was an outstanding contributor during the last campaign. From his 69 games spread over three seasons with Nottingham, Streather has notched up 160 points. Streather was a prized find coming to the club from Worcester in 2009, immediately taking player of the season honours. At only 23 years old, and despite breaking his hand against Jersey in October, he has eight tries already this season which sees him joint top at the club with Captain Brent Wilson and only two behind Leeds’ David Doherty.

Brent Wilson. (c)

Flanker.

At close on 17 stone and six feet four, Wilson (31) is a more than imposing back rower, having already notched eight league tries this season. Wilson was born in Napier, New Zealand. He previously played for North Harbour in New Zealand before moving to England in 2006, playing 84 matches for Newcastle Falcons in the Premiership before moving to Nottingham for last season. Captaining the side, Wilson is having a cracking season having scored more tries this season than in his five years with the Falcons. Described by manager Hagg as having an overwhelming desire to win, is incredibly self motivated, leads by example, is the consummate professional in the way he prepares himself physically, and is a constant performer under pressure, is praise indeed. Not a player to be taken lightly.

 

Rhys Crane.
Winger.

Crane joined the Green and Whites in 2011 having previously represented Bath and Sale Sharks. Bringing with him a degree in Sports Science he has undergone a tortuous career with Nottingham, having spent 13 months on the sidelines with injury. He managed to convince the powers that be to re-sign him on a showing of only 100 minutes (knee injury, broken jaw, red card and a debut that lasted only 30 seconds). The former England sevens star managed this feat in the final match of last season, coming off the bench to put in a massive hit, and then crossed the try line with his first touch of the ball. More than just an impact player, he has chalked up seven tries this campaign.

 

James Arlidge.

Fly half.

Japanese international Arlidge joined Nottingham in 2010 from Newport-Gwent Dragons. Much travelled he played Super Rugby for the Auckland Blues, before a season with the Highlanders. Arlidge began a four year stint in Japan with Osaka based club Docomo Kansai, having also represented the New Zealand Maori.

Qualifying for Japan on residency grounds, his debut came against South Korea, where he scored two tries and converted all ten of his conversions. In the 2008 IRB Pacific Nations Cup he was the top points scorer with 56. Arlidge was included in Japan's 2011 Rugby World Cup squad having missed out on the 2007 tournament after breaking his leg in a warm up match. He played in three of Japan's four matches during the tournament, scoring 34 points, including two tries against France.

In what could be his last professional season, he is only seven points behind the leagues top points scorer, but closing in (Newcastle’s Jimmy Gopperth). With nearly 300 international points, his accuracy from kicks is something that will keep Jersey disciplined if we are to see a favourable result.