Saturday 26 October 2013

Nick Selway, Jersey RFC interview

Name: Nick Selway
Date of Birth: 17/07/1989
Born: Gloucester
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 20 stone 11lbs
Education: Qualified Bricklayer
Previous clubs: Lydney, Plymouth Albion (loan), Cinderford
Outside interests: Old comedy


It has been a tumultuous few weeks for Nick Selway, signed by Jersey as a full time professional, only days before the second pre-season match against Coventry, thrust into the starting XV in only the fifth game of the season. I met Nick or Salad as he is known, on a glorious October afternoon to ask him his thoughts on the game and about his move to the Island.

His rugby career began virtually in his own backyard, at Longlevans Rugby club in Gloucester. His dad was a coach there; ‘A lot of forwards went from LongLevans to Gloucester so it was a good place to be and learn your trade’ he said. From there he progressed to Lydney where he faced a rampant Jersey side in January 2011. Jersey won 24-7 on their way to another promotion, and although he missed the return match back at St Peter, suffering a knee ligament injury, he had made enough of an impression for Ben Harvey to keep a watchful eye. Selway’s first big break came when he went out on loan to Plymouth during the 2011-12 season, where he played in the British and Irish cup matches, including matches against Cornish Pirates, Ayr and Pontypridd. This preceded a move to Cinderford last season.  Things were going well; ‘Gloucester was keeping a watchful eye, and then Ben rang,’ said Selway, ‘it came as a complete surprise. I was actually on my lunch break.’  Harvey had been keeping an eye on his progression and was impressed and pleased with the hard work Selway had been putting in. Injuries in the tight-head area had left Jersey a little light, and Selway more than filled the void.

The quietly spoken Gloucestrian kept the faith in his ability despite disappointment. ‘Not making it happen at Plymouth (who went in a different direction) was a blow but not a setback as it made me more determined to work a bit harder and push on, I kept my head down a little bit, moved to Cinderford – you wonder whether it will ever happen, but then it did.’ Just reward for the efforts he has put in. ‘Every day I count myself lucky as only a handful of people are doing something that they actually love to do.’

As you’d expect from a man weighing over 130kg, scrimmaging is his forte, his number one asset, but with one of, if not the best front rows in the Championship. I asked Nick how much of a challenge is it to come here and win a place? ‘It’s a big challenge, JB (John Brennan) was the number one tight-head in the league last season and (David) Youngy obviously has a hell of a pedigree, they are two people I can learn massively off, as well as the coach Bodes (Steve Boden).’

No bread, no rice, no pasta, a carb free diet is one of the things JRFC have changed for the better; ‘It’s hard at the start but after a while you begin to enjoy it.’ His training regime was completely revamped. ‘When I came here they changed everything, I wondered if I am actually as good as I thought I was.’ Getting rid of the day job and wholly concentrating on the rugby does bring its perks however; ‘It’s nice to have a free night instead of going from work to train every evening’, he said. Seeing the results first-hand and reaping the benefits gave him a first start against Scottish champions Ayr. ‘I’m always proud to pull on the shirt whoever I play for, I feel even more proud here as it’s an island and everyone looks to you, for me it is massive. To score a try (vs. Bristol) was massive but it’s a privilege to be the starting three.’

I asked Nick about his first Jersey try against promotion favourites Bristol; ‘It was just a pick and go after a solid scrum,’ he said with a glint in the eye that hinted he was prouder of this landmark than he wanted to let on; ‘No one’s stopping you at 130kg from two metres out.’ Even though the game ended in defeat, it was the first fifteen minutes that proved the undoing; ‘I think we gave them too much respect,’ it was as much a learning curve for the team, as it was for Selway. ‘It showed at Nottingham where we were able to grind out a win, even though we weren’t playing that great, if you can win when you’re not playing well imagine what you can do when you do play well.’

Selway believes Jersey has recruited well; ‘We are a very forward oriented team and the pressure this brings forces teams into doing stupid things.’ This power has been shown by the amount of yellow cards shown to the opposition recently. The patterns of play are followed meticulously, even more so after the Ayr game where things weren’t quite going to the plan set out pre-match. ‘We trust the system and realised when we stepped outside of it, just how much the system is working for us.’

I asked Selway about his slightly unusual nickname of ‘Salad’. Unusual for a player who still weighs in at nearly 21 stone; ‘It came from Lydney, I was much bigger then (147kg) and someone said I was a vegetarian, and people actually believed it, it just went from there.’

At Cinderford last season, the average attendance was 381. This season Jersey’s league matches have averaged over 2500. I asked Nick how he finds the Jersey support compared to other grounds he has played at; ‘It’s a massive lift, especially when you are five metres out and everyone’s rumbling, the hair on the back of the neck stands up and sometimes you can’t even hear yourself, it’s an unreal place.’ The new scrum laws are taking big bulky forwards like Selway and John Brennan a bit more time to get used to than David Young who is slightly more technical, but Salad firmly believes it is only a matter of time before he catches up; ‘Once I do crack it we will be laughing, cause you will have power, plus technique and you should be blitzing people.’

Away from game he likes his comedy, but in listing Porridge, Only Fools and Horses and Steptoe & Son, he has a penchant for the older style. ‘I’m a bit of an old man really, a cup of tea man.’ Extra sessions in the gym with fitness coach Jake Aliker mean that there is less time to enjoy this hobby, but it is all for the greater good, Selway has completely bought into the systems, lifestyle and coaching that a professional player needs to have if he is to be successful. Having his better half join him in the club flat has helped him settle, despite having trouble navigating the Jersey roads. ‘I was coming back from Latu’s (Makaafi) in Gorey and ended up in Devils Hole.’ Jersey has its obvious beauty, Selway was taken in by the beauty of Gronez, its ruins and a phenomenal sunset, but; ‘First and foremost it was the rugby that was the attraction, fulltime it was a place where I could sort myself out, the conditioning, here I know I am in the best environment to do that, being in a place like Jersey is just an added bonus.’

Looking from the outside in, Selway was always of the belief that Jersey was going to reach the Championship. ‘It’s nice to be part of it, be part of the team,’ he said. ‘I am doing something I really enjoy.’ With able praise from Ben Harvey, who said after the Ayr match; ‘He put himself around the park well for a big man and his scrimmaging was good too, so we’ve got a luxury of choice at tight-head.’ The underlying notion I get of the 21 stone tight-head prop is one of humility. Looking out from the clubhouse as the sun bathes the lush green turf of St Peter, the man mountain gives me the impression that he loves his rugby and has totally bought into the Jersey way, despite only being on the Island for six weeks, he said; The best thing about Jersey is how relaxed and laid back it is.’
 Certainly this is a player who is in the right place and on the right path when it comes to the rugby. Jersey over the weeks and months will undoubtedly reap the rewards of a man who is quietly determined to make a starting place his own.



Jersey RFC v Plymouth Albion RFC Preview

WHO JERSEY ARE FACING


Plymouth Albion Rugby Club.
Founded: 1875
Home Ground: The Brickfields
Head (player) Coach: James Shanahan
Last season: Ninth


Last season:

Plymouth started the last campaign in excellent form, winning four of their first five league matches, their best ever start to a championship campaign. This was in complete contrast to the previous season where they struggled badly, finishing second bottom with only six wins. Sadly for the Albion they could not sustain this precocious form and fell away badly, winning only three of their last 17 games, one of those against already relegated Doncaster. Despite this terrible run, many of these matches were closely fought. No team managed more losing bonus points, including four games in a row which kept them out of trouble, and ahead of Jersey. In fact their twelve bonus points overall were matched only by the top four sides. With only thirty points and one win more than Jersey last term it was their defensive abilities and Jerseys poor start that was the difference between the two sides.


This season so far:

A much changed and stronger Plymouth started off this season. New head coach James Shanahan combining his playing duties with a new look coaching team. Their pre season was notable for the match against Worcester that never was, after the Warriors coach caught fire spectacularly on the way down to Plymouth. Results have been mixed in the opening few matches. An opening day win over a Jersey side which faltered badly, saw them off to a cracking start. Despite the early dominance in their next match with Moseley which saw them 31-6 ahead just past the half hour, they somehow contrived to throw away the win and were left hanging on for a 34 all draw. This was followed by a heavy defeat to London Welsh, and then a two point loss at home to London Scottish. Against Scottish, Albion were leading 20-17 with only moments remaining, despite having lock Brett Beukeboom sent off, when a last gasp try in the corner condemned them to defeat. Albion got back on track with a comfortable win over Nottingham followed by a thumping six try 38-12 win over Stirling County, both in the British and Irish cup. Albion come into the match one position and three points better off than Jersey, with the bonus points they have accrued being the difference between the two sides. Discipline does seem to be hampering the side as they currently top the table when it comes to red and yellow cards, already half of the total accrued in the whole of last season.

Previous with Jersey:

Last season’s results despite being tight, both finished in Jerseys favour. Albion was the only team to have been beaten home and away by the reds.  At St Peter, Jersey led through James Copsey’s try as early as the third minute, cancelled out soon after by an Aaron Carpenter score, and with 15 minutes left of the encounter Jersey trailed 14-10. Mike Le Bourgeois’ kicked two pressure penalties, winning 16-14 which gave Jersey their third consecutive victory. Jersey’s first and only away league win last term was Albion’s ninth straight defeat, in the return encounter at the Brickfields stadium. Leading 19-3 with three tries - including a brace for Nicky Griffiths - in the bag early in the second half, Jersey overcommitted and allowed Albion back into the match. Jersey hung on for a tight 19-15 victory in a match that lasted just shy of two hours due to injuries. It should have been three wins from three meetings for Jersey but for a second half capitulation in this season’s opener. The first game Jersey has ever played live on Sky TV started so well for the Islanders. Leading 21-13 early in the second half and seemingly in complete control of the match, dominating in the forwards, looking dangerous with ball in hand. All the hard work was undone by a 25 minute spell where Albion scored four scorching tries, ripping the Jersey team apart, leaving the newly professional outfit to ask some searching questions.

Having seen off last season’s runners up Bedford and the Scottish champions Ayr at home, unfortunate to take nothing from division favourites Bristol, and having beaten Nottingham away since the last encounter with Albion, Jersey should be favourites to take at least four points from this clash. Albion will not be pushovers, but fortress St Peter is getting tougher to breach by the game.



ONES TO WATCH

Name: Chris Elder
Age: 21
Position: Full back/Centre
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 100kgs

Utility back Elder signed from Esher this summer having scored nine tries and kicked 55 points in 27 matches.  He began his career at the Wasps academy, representing England’s Under 18 and England Counties. Whilst he prefers inside centre he was used in devastating style as full back in the opening day win over Jersey. With pace to burn, Elder scored a brace of tries as Jersey were carved open. In the final year of a Geography degree, he has deferred his studies to concentrate full time on rugby with Plymouth.


Name: Dan Mugford
Age: 22
Position: Fly half
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 87kgs

Signed for this season from fellow Championship side London Scottish, having spent the majority of the last campaign on loan at National One sides Blackheath and Rosslyn Park. His kicking has been near flawless this season, with a conversion rate of 96% which includes seven kicks from seven attempts against Jersey on the opening day. The former England Counties star has a respectable return of over 50 points this season, and he will kick the goals should Jersey give away needless penalties.


Name: Eoghan Grace
Age: 26
Position: Flanker
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 102kgs

A product of the Munster academy, Grace joined Premiership side Exeter Chiefs, although an achilles injury curtailed his game time there.  A spell at Pro-12 side Connacht followed where he played for two seasons in both the league and Heineken Cup matches. This preceded a move to Albion for the current season, where he hopes he can reignite his career. Still harbouring aspirations of playing for the full Irish national side, the former Ireland under 20’s player has also turned out for the Ireland sevens team.


Name: Toby Howley-Berridge
Age: 23
Position: Centre
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 89kgs

In his second season with Albion, having signed at the start of last season from Doncaster. Previously having played with new Albion head coach James Shanahan at Cambridge he is well used to the systems of play currently employed. Equally adept on the wing or at full back, he is another player with plenty of pace. Having struggled with injury at his previous clubs, Howley-Berridge started 22 league and cup matches last term. He has also represented England Eastern Counties on their African tour two seasons ago.


Thursday 24 October 2013

Jersey RFC vs Plymouth Albion RFC


WHO JERSEY ARE FACING

 

 

Plymouth Albion Rugby Club.
Founded: 1875
Home Ground: The Brickfields
Head (player) Coach: James Shanahan
Last season: Ninth

 

 

Last season:

Plymouth started the last campaign in excellent form, winning four of their first five league matches, their best ever start to a championship campaign. This was in complete contrast to the previous season where they struggled badly, finishing second bottom with only six wins. Sadly for the Albion they could not sustain this precocious form and fell away badly, winning only three of their last 17 games, one of those against already relegated Doncaster. Despite this terrible run, many of these matches were closely fought. No team managed more losing bonus points, including four games in a row which kept them out of trouble, and ahead of Jersey. In fact their twelve bonus points overall were matched only by the top four sides. With only thirty points and one win more than Jersey last term it was their defensive abilities and Jerseys poor start that was the difference between the two sides.

 

 

This season so far:

A much changed and stronger Plymouth started off this season. New head coach James Shanahan combining his playing duties with a new look coaching team. Their pre season was notable for the match against Worcester that never was, after the Warriors coach caught fire spectacularly on the way down to Plymouth. Results have been mixed in the opening few matches. An opening day win over a Jersey side which faltered badly, saw them off to a cracking start. Despite the early dominance in their next match with Moseley which saw them 31-6 ahead just past the half hour, they somehow contrived to throw away the win and were left hanging on for a 34 all draw. This was followed by a heavy defeat to London Welsh, and then a two point loss at home to London Scottish. Against Scottish, Albion were leading 20-17 with only moments remaining, despite having lock Brett Beukeboom sent off, when a last gasp try in the corner condemned them to defeat. Albion got back on track with a comfortable win over Nottingham followed by a thumping six try 38-12 win over Stirling County, both in the British and Irish cup. Albion come into the match one position and three points better off than Jersey, with the bonus points they have accrued being the difference between the two sides. Discipline does seem to be hampering the side as they currently top the table when it comes to red and yellow cards, already half of the total accrued in the whole of last season.

 

Previous with Jersey:

Last season’s results despite being tight, both finished in Jerseys favour. Albion was the only team to have been beaten home and away by the reds.  At St Peter, Jersey led through James Copsey’s try as early as the third minute, cancelled out soon after by an Aaron Carpenter score, and with 15 minutes left of the encounter Jersey trailed 14-10. Mike Le Bourgeois’ kicked two pressure penalties, winning 16-14 which gave Jersey their third consecutive victory. Jersey’s first and only away league win last term was Albion’s ninth straight defeat, in the return encounter at the Brickfields stadium. Leading 19-3 with three tries - including a brace for Nicky Griffiths - in the bag early in the second half, Jersey overcommitted and allowed Albion back into the match. Jersey hung on for a tight 19-15 victory in a match that lasted just shy of two hours due to injuries. It should have been three wins from three meetings for Jersey but for a second half capitulation in this season’s opener. The first game Jersey has ever played live on Sky TV started so well for the Islanders. Leading 21-13 early in the second half and seemingly in complete control of the match, dominating in the forwards, looking dangerous with ball in hand. All the hard work was undone by a 25 minute spell where Albion scored four scorching tries, ripping the Jersey team apart, leaving the newly professional outfit to ask some searching questions.

Having seen off last season’s runners up Bedford and the Scottish champions Ayr at home, unfortunate to take nothing from division favourites Bristol, and having beaten Nottingham away since the last encounter with Albion, Jersey should be favourites to take at least four points from this clash. Albion will not be pushovers, but fortress St Peter is getting tougher to breach by the game.

 

 

 

PLYMOUTH ONES TO WATCH

 

Name: Chris Elder

Age: 21

Position: Full back/Centre

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 100kgs

 
Utility back Elder signed from Esher this summer having scored nine tries and kicked 55 points in 27 matches.  He began his career at the Wasps academy, representing England’s Under 18 and England Counties. Whilst he prefers inside centre he was used in devastating style as full back in the opening day win over Jersey. With pace to burn, Elder scored a brace of tries as Jersey were carved open. In the final year of a Geography degree, he has deferred his studies to concentrate full time on rugby with Plymouth.

 

 

Name: Dan Mugford

Age: 22

Position: Fly half

Height: 5’9”

Weight: 87kgs

 
Signed for this season from fellow Championship side London Scottish, having spent the majority of the last campaign on loan at National One sides Blackheath and Rosslyn Park. His kicking has been near flawless this season, with a conversion rate of 96% which includes seven kicks from seven attempts against Jersey on the opening day. The former England Counties star has a respectable return of over 50 points this season, and he will kick the goals should Jersey give away needless penalties.

 

 

Name: Eoghan Grace

Age: 26

Position: Flanker

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 102kgs


A product of the Munster academy, Grace joined Premiership side Exeter Chiefs, although an achilles injury curtailed his game time there.  A spell at Pro-12 side Connacht followed where he played for two seasons in both the league and Heineken Cup matches. This preceded a move to Albion for the current season, where he hopes he can reignite his career. Still harbouring aspirations of playing for the full Irish national side, the former Ireland under 20’s player has also turned out for the Ireland sevens team.

 

 

Name: Toby Howley-Berridge

Age: 23

Position: Centre

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 89kgs

 

In his second season with Albion, having signed at the start of last season from Doncaster. Previously having played with new Albion head coach James Shanahan at Cambridge he is well used to the systems of play currently employed. Equally adept on the wing or at full back, he is another player with plenty of pace. Having struggled with injury at his previous clubs, Howley-Berridge started 22 league and cup matches last term. He has also represented England Eastern Counties on their African tour two seasons ago.

 

Friday 11 October 2013

Jersey RFC vs Ayr RFC. British and Irish Cup


Ayr Rugby Football Club
Founded: 1897
Home Ground: Millbrae
Head Coach: Peter Laverie
Last season: Champions, Scottish Cup Winners

 

A brief history:

 

Despite being founded well over a century ago, it wasn’t until 2008/09 that Ayr won the Premier One Championship for the first time. This was followed by more success in the Scottish cup competition, again for the first time in 2010 and they were unlucky not to repeat the league win the following season where they won the Scottish Cup for the second time. They actually began in the second division when the national leagues were established in 1973. They gained promotion to the top flight in 1984 and played there for six out of seven seasons before an absence of seven years. Promotion in 2003 put Ayr back in the top league and they have remained there ever since. The first and only Scottish side to reach the quarter finals of the British and Irish Cup in its second season 2010/11, where they lost narrowly to Bristol, they have not managed to get out of their group since. Their record in the three seasons they have competed is mixed, seven wins six defeats and one draw in group matches, but it is interesting to note that against the English sides Ayr’s record is fearsome. Six wins and a draw from eight group matches is not to be sniffed at, and shows that they really do raise their game against the old foe from down south. Head coach Peter Laverie emphasised this by saying:  ‘The players love it (cup competition) it’s a bit different away from the rigours of the league. The players lift their game; it’s healthy to have a good Scottish English rivalry.’

 

 

Last Season:

 

2012/13 was the most successful in the history of Ayr Rugby Club. Having lost out on their place in the British and Irish Cup, the emphasis was upon the management team to regain their place at the top of the Scottish game. They took ownership of a new trophy early in the season, the Bill McLaren Shield for winning at home, and did not relinquish this all season, remaining undefeated at home. They actually only lost one game all season, but despite this it was one of the tightest league battles with Gala, and it was only decided after the penultimate game of the season. Having been defeated in the Scottish Cup final by Gala the previous season, they again reached the final, before going on to complete a league and cup double by beating Melrose in extra time. This was their third cup win in four seasons. Melrose was actually ahead until the final play of the match. Ayr went through 25 phases and into the fourth minute after the end of extra time, when the play was spun right to left and Cammy Taylor dove over spectacularly in the corner for a remarkable 28-25 win.

 

The season so far:

 

Ayr are currently sitting in fourth place after six wins in the first eight matches,  scoring 25 tries in the process, albeit only three points from leaders Melrose. The champions with new head coach Peter Laverie taking over at the helm; began in good form with a four try bonus point win over Stirling County, before Melrose avenged last season’s cup final defeat by winning 33-11 at Millbrae. Five tries and a shut out condemned Currie, before a single point loss to Heriots Rugby club, despite outscoring them three tries to two. This was their last reverse however as three straight wins including away wins against Aberdeen and Glasgow Hawks; have put aside the early season wobbles.  They have the best defensive record in the division, only conceding 124 points, and this was emphasised in a 48-10, six try thumping of Hawick last Sunday.

 

Back at St Peter, Jersey really do have nothing to fear after a start to the season that has made many sit up and take note. Last Sundays win away at Nottingham may have looked close on the scoreboard but the dominance Jersey showed, especially in the now vaunted forward pack, they are not to be underestimated. Ben Harvey may make several changes to his side to give some of the fringe players some game time, but those coming in will be eager to make an impression and take their chances to put pressure on those who have established themselves already this season.


 

Who to look out for:

 
Name: Robbie Fergusson
Age: 20
Height: 5'11" 
Weight: 13st 7lb
Position: Centre 

Fergusson is a local boy and is one of several to benefit from Ayr's dedicated youth system.  He has represented Scotland at under-20 level having progressed through other age groups also.  He is extremely fast and this has contributed to him scoring four tries so far this season.
 

Name: Craig Gossman
Age: 24
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 11st 13lb 
Position: Wing

Gossy joined Ayr from Glasgow Hawks last season having represented Scotland at club international level.  He makes a formidable double-act on the wing with his younger brother Kerr.  Fleet of foot, he is also a ferocious tackler, despite his small stature. Having already crossed the try line on four occasions he will be looking to add to that tally at St Peter.
 


Name: Denford Mutamangira
Age: 29
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 18st 1lb
Position: Prop

Denford is a Zimbabwean international player who joined Ayr half-way through the 2011/2012 season making an immediate impact. Equally comfortable at tight-head or loose he brings enormous power to the scrum. Last season he fast became a fan favourite with his trademark bulldozing runs, weighing in with the occasional try.
 

Name: Scott Sutherland
Age: 28
Height: 6'6”
Weight: 18st 1lb
Position: Second row

 
In excellent form this term, Sutherland was August/Septembers player of the month, as voted for by the fans. One of the longest serving players at the club, he is in his eighth season with Ayr. Known for his proficiency at the line-out and skilled handling in the loose, he will be pivotal for Ayr should they gain the ascendancy over Jerseys’ mighty pack.  He has represented Scotland at club international level.