Steve Boden on Moseley RFC v Jersey RFC

Both Jersey and Moseley are expecting a highly competitive match at Billesley Common in this, the last league fixture before Christmas. The two week break for the British and Irish Cup provided an opportunity for each side to rotate, rest, as well as giving a number of fringe players the chance to impress and make their case for inclusion, in what has become a vitally important league match.

Jersey head coach Steve Boden remains positive despite four straight defeats and has seen enough, to remain positive. He has been pleased with areas of Jerseys play. ‘Most of the boys have impressed me to be honest,’ he stated. Academy product Jack Burroughs makes his first Championship start having also impressed the coach. Boden said, ‘He (Burroughs) did well at full back when he came on, for a young lad. Our backs showed good intent to carry the ball, the execution wasn’t so good, but the general emphasis to play more rugby generally was pleasing’.

After the 24 nil reverse to Cornish Pirates, Boden’s first job, to raise morale, was not as tough as first imagined. ‘It was not that hard really,’ he explained. ‘We had a debrief of the game, and saw how many opportunities we had to score, and then all of a sudden chins came off the chests and they realised we had blown a lot of chances.’ Boden continued, ‘We haven’t been playing with the ball that much, but that is something we are looking to do more of. We blew two, two on one opportunities and that is just basic skills, there is no excuse for that, that is something I should not have to coach, we need to start putting our chances away and the emphasis at the moment is on our execution’.

Having been a former Moseley player himself, Boden has an insight in to what to expect from his former employers, ‘There’s not much atmosphere, the crowds aren’t huge,’ he said. ‘They have a few old heads in there who know all the tricks of the trade, a good forward pack, including former Jersey player Ben Evans, and lots of pace on the wings. I expect it to be quite physical up front, and a battle of who makes the fewest mistakes.’

The corresponding fixture last season was a tight affair, one which Boden believed they lost, rather than Moseley actually winning. ‘We lost the game,’ he said. ‘We had to chase the game having been 23-9 behind. As with this season, it is a problem we have got, something we are trying to identify, it seems that we need something negative to happen before we go on the onslaught, which is why we are trying to play more with the ball and be more positive from the start.’

He continued, ‘We need to be more clinical, but we are creating opportunities. We have spoken about sticking to structures and our game plan, and it’s about the boys having the discipline to stick to it. We are in a patch at the moment and the only way to get through that is to meet it head on and work through it.’ Despite this form the club is still upbeat, Boden stated. ‘The camp is pretty positive to be honest, spirits are high and we just need a result. It would be a great time just before Christmas to get one.’

Moseley's recent league form has been good, with three wins from six including victories against Bedford, Nottingham and Ealing, losing to high flying London Welsh and London Scottish before last weekend’s shock reverse at Ealing in the cup. Last season, saw the teams meet twice with Moseley winning both encounters, 31-12 at St Peter, and narrowly 23-19 at Billesley Common.

A win for Moseley could see them move up to eighth place, well clear of bottom side Ealing. A Jersey win would see them draw level with Moseley and a try bonus point takes the Islanders above their hosts, and level with Nottingham in ninth.

Jersey RFC v Cornish Pirates B and I Cup match report

The Cornish Pirates booked their place in the quarter finals of the British and Irish cup, with an emphatic 24 points to nil over a Jersey side, who in their first home match under the guidance of Steve Boden, looked short of attacking guile.

Jersey from the off looked to be expansive. Niall O’Conner in particular dictated the pace of the match with some excellent handling, and with centre Dai Bishop hitting his lines hard and early, things looked positive.

The first half hour of the match, despite being scoreless, did nothing to suggest anything other than another tight nail-biting match, as has been the case in the three most recent meetings with the Pirates. Jersey dominated the early scrums, as you would expect with the strength of Tom Fidler and Nick Selway, the starting props, and Jersey were looking to move the ball with every opportunity. In phases they did look dangerous, but the Pirates held fast, helped by some generous penalty awards, and some excellent defending.

Jerseys attacking intent was dealt a blow on twenty minutes when the impressive Selway was yellow carded for an alleged punch on entering a ruck, and from the resulting penalty the Pirates were desperately unlucky not to score the opening try, knocking on under pressure with a huge overlap on the right hand side. Credit the home side for not buckling, and they looked set to withstand the ten minute handicap, especially when Kyle Moyle sent a kickable penalty wide and it remained scoreless. On 28 minutes, a poor kick from Mark Foster went right down the throat of Kieran Goss, a missed tackle created a huge hole in the right side of Jersey’s defence, and Kyle Moyle raced away to score the opening try, which he duly converted himself.

Harsh on Jersey who had competed well, but when Captain Alex Rae became the second Jersey player to fall foul of the referee, Jersey began to visibly wilt. From a penalty, the Pirates won a line-out and from the resulting maul, they pushed Jack Andrew over for their second, (unconverted) try.

The Pirates extra man was to prove decisive, as in added time the Pirates put the game beyond doubt. A catch and drive was held up in the corner when it looked easier to score, but the ball was recycled and despite some excellent Jersey defence, Pirates’ James Phillips forced his way over the line, converted by Moyle, to leave Jersey facing a 19-0 half time deficit.

Jersey came out strongly for the second period. Some fine attacking play down the left hand side; Mark Fosters chip and chase finally providing some real penetration as he was unlucky to be stopped with only metres remaining. The Reds were now moving forwards with real intent, nearly forcing there way over after a catch and drive from a line-out by the dependable Dave Markham, which led to a ruck, but Jersey knocked on when well set.

Ten minutes into the second half, another line break from Bishop created a platform for Jersey to open their account, but somehow the ball was turned over and Kieran Goss showed some explosive pace to run the length of the pitch, virtually unchallenged, ensuring that the Pirates took home the try bonus point. The conversion was missed and there was to be no further scoring, but not for lack of trying from The Reds. First Foster made a good break, but was unable to recycle the ball, and then a cross field kick from O’Conner to Mark McCrea tested the Pirates resolve. Grant Pointer was utterly disgusted moments later, when the final pass that left him in the clear and under the posts was deemed to be forward, denying the former Pirate a consolation score.

Time and again the Islanders ran into a solid wall of black, but in trying to force the play to make that telling pass, they made far too many errors, and the Pirates were able to repel their hosts. There was still time for Pirates’ number eight, Phillips to become the third player in the sin bin, and McCrea was unlucky after beating several men down the left, but Jersey yet again conceded possession and their chance was gone.

Head coach Steve Boden now has a huge job on his hands to lift the moral of his side after this defeat. Moseley, only four points ahead of Jersey lie in wait for the Islanders this coming Saturday in what has become a crucial fixture.

Jersey RFC v Cornish Pirates B and I Cup Preview

The Cornish Pirates sit pretty at the top of Pool Six, and are looking to the Jersey double header to put distance between themselves, Jersey and third placed Ulster. Pirates Director of  Rugby Ian Davies is an advocate of the tournament and has promised to field strong teams in both matches. ‘We have always supported the British and Irish Cup. We were the inaugural winners back in 2010 and have reached the Semi and Quarter Finals in recent years. You can only win two competitions at this level so why would we not take it seriously?’

The diversity of the tournament, as Jersey has found with matches against all the home nations in just two seasons, is something that makes the British and Irish cup an attractive tournament. Davies agrees it is a welcome distraction from the rigours of the league. ‘We like the fact you are playing teams from the other Home Nations, different styles, different supporters and different experiences!’  said Davies. ‘It is the nature of the draw we would play another Championship team, so Jersey is a great place to go for the supporters… although in December they may well disagree!’

Davies gave a frank evaluation of the recent league game between the two sides and whilst he felt aggrieved at not winning the match, he did say that Jersey was fortunate to come away with four precious points. ‘In all honesty we only played well for 25 minutes either side of half time,’ he said. ‘Jersey would have to admit they probably did not deserve the win, but at the same time we did not do enough to put the result beyond doubt, and we suffered because of it. Rugby is a very simple game, score more points than your opponents and you never lose!’

Jersey travel to the home of the Pirates with a point to prove after their disappointing reverse to bottom of the table Ealing. Davies was surprised to see Jersey succumb in their last match and is expecting an Islander backlash because of this. The Pirates coach was asked if Jersey’s loss was a shock to him. ‘In all honesty, yes. But then again in the Greene King Championship if you are not on your game any team can get turned over. How many unbeaten teams are there in this league? Ealing beating Jersey certainly will not have made our back to back fixtures with Jersey any easier.’ 

Jersey RFC v Ealing Trailfinders RFC, Preview

Who Jersey Are Facing.

Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club

Founded: 1871

Home Ground: Vallis Way

Director of Rugby: Mike Cudmore

Last Season: National One Champions

Previous with Jersey

Ealing have possibly the richest history of matches against Jersey compared to all the other Championship clubs having followed Jersey up the league pyramid.  They first met in 2010, in National Two South, Jersey fully deserving a 32-18 win after a tremendous forwards display, before they did the double with a hard fought away win, 15-0 later that same season. It was not enough to top the pile however, they finishing second to champions, Ealing, but Jersey still gained promotion by hammering Loughborough Students in the play-off.

The following season in National One, Ealing became the first side in two and a half years to lower Jersey’s colours in a tense, narrow, 23-15 defeat. Ealing with the prolific Phil Chesters in fine form topped the table, Jersey sinking to ninth after this loss. As the season wore on Jersey came into outstanding form and in the return match early in 2012, they won at Ealing, the league leaders at that point, 24-16 after a sterling defensive display. This one of 19 straight wins, proving that they were very real title contenders. All this despite the key for the away changing room mysteriously disappearing at half time amidst the rain and hail. Ealing regained their form after a Christmas/New Year wobble but were unable to overhaul the Jersey juggernaught and finished as runners up.

Last Season

It was no surprise after their narrow miss in 2011/12 that Ealing were favourites, along with relegated Esher, to win promotion to the Championship. Once again they were in stunning form, losing only three of their thirty league matches all season, scoring over 1000 points for the second consecutive season. Phil Chesters added to his 42 tries the previous season with another 29, topping the charts in both seasons. This tally would surely have been higher but for a season ending car accident in March. Ealing won eight and drew one of their first nine matches, and finished with 17 wins and a draw from the final 19. Despite this superiority, Ealing showed they could tough out the tight matches, with nine matches won by seven points or fewer. It was this ability that saw them win the division by a comfortable 19 points from Esher, with Blaydon and Rosslyn Park all registering over 100 league points.

This season so far.

A duel registering link with Premiership side Harlequins gave Ealing’s squad a boost. Still with a side many expected to struggle, much like Jersey last season, they kicked off against London Scottish, and promptly went ahead with an early penalty. It was tight throughout the half, and when the prolific Phil Chesters scampered over to reduce the deficit to four points early in the second Ealing had hope. Unfortunately Scottish was too powerful and ground down the newcomers winning convincingly in the end. Nothing had prepared Ealing for what was to follow as Rotherham put them to the sword, scoring ten tries in a 79-9 hammering which was much more of a reality check than many had suggested life in the Championship would be. A vastly improved performance against Cornish Pirates followed in their opening home match, but with only two tries they were some way short of their experienced opponents. Like Jersey, it has taken time for the club to adapt to life at this level. Jersey lost their opening six matches, but Ealing have yet to register a single point after eight Championship defeats, and losing both British and Irish cup matches, narrowly to Cross Keys and a seven try thumping at Leinster, who were in Jersey’s group last season. Despite this run of form they have refused to throw in the towel, and are gradually improving. Ealing travelled to unbeaten London Welsh two weeks ago, the new favourites for promotion back to the Premiership, and gave a fantastic account of themselves. Despite being ‘nilled’, they restricted the Exiles to only four tries, and just seven points in the second half with some fantastic defending. Last weekend they welcomed London Scottish to Vallis Way. Scottish who had battered Jersey and beaten fancied Leeds in their last two home matches made hard work of breaking down the Ealing defence before running away late in the second half.

Despite their previous seasons exploits Ealing have found scoring points hard to come by, only averaging just over eight points a game (to Jersey’s 19), and with only seven league tries scored all season it is a tough period for the club. A measure of how far both clubs have come is that despite the close nature of the previous seasons battles, Jersey will be out and out favourites to win the match, and the home faithful will accept nothing less than a four try bonus point win. Although with each match Ealing are getting better and adapting to Championship life, any complacency will be punished. Ealing will be hell bent on securing their first win in a game that has become pivotal at the bottom of the table. Jersey will do well to remember the explosive pace Ealing possess in wing Phil Chesters, a previous try scorer at St Peter, and Jersey old boy Andrew Henderson, (Ealings top try scorer this season with two), will also be keen to impress on his old stamping ground.

Who to look out for:

Adam Preocanin

DoB:                                        22^nd October 1987

Height:                                    197cm

Weight:                                   115kg

Position:                                 Second Row

Kent-born Preocanin joined the Club early in their promotion season from National One. He quickly established himself as a key member of the team with strong performances in the second row, scoring three tries in 26 starts. These performances have continued in the Championship this season having been awarded the captain’s armband for this season. Originally signing for the Saracens academy as a youngster, he then made appearances for England in age group rugby, Preocanin moved to Australia where he played for Queensland Reds A, Queensland University and Easts.

Ed Siggery

DoB:                                        18^th July 1991

Height:                                    192cm

Weight:                                   110kg

Position:                                 Back Row

Welshman Siggery joined Ealing in the summer of 2013 from Pontypridd, having previously played for London Irish where he made his Aviva Premiership debut in 2011. He also has turned out for London Welsh and Llandovery. Siggery represented Wales at under-16, 18 and 20 levels, playing and scoring in the Junior World Cup. This will be his second trip to St Peter having played in both British and Irish cup ties for Ponty against Jersey last term. He made history this season by scoring Ealing’s first ever home try in the Championship, against Cornish Pirates.

Andrew Henderson

DoB:                                        11^th November 1987

Height:                                    180cm

Weight:                                   88kg

Position:                                 Full Back

Andrew Henderson arrived at Vallis Way in 2012 from Barking, helping them win promotion from National One. Since the start of the season the 26-year-old has established himself at fullback where his sureness under the high ball and swiftness of foot mark him out as a counter-attacking threat. The former Jersey player has also played in the centres and on the wing. ‘Hendo’ left Jersey and subsequently turned out for the England Counties side. Despite Barking’s relegation that season, he top scored with eleven tries as his former and future employers battled for the title.

Phil Chesters

DoB:                                        29^th October 1987

Height:                                    189cm

Weight:                                   @

Position:                                 Wing

The pacy winger is a player well-known to the Jersey faithful after his try-scoring exploits over the past season. In total Chesters has scored 170 tries for Ealing in a little over 115 games (70 in a single season), and marked his and Ealing’s Championship debut with a try against London Scottish, which came less than six months after he was involved in a serious car accident that ended his season and nearly killed him. He has represented the England Counties side, and as Jersey will remember, any space awarded to him will be punished.