Jersey RFC mauled by Tigers and Lions

Ashburton Pre-Season Challenge

Jersey 7 Leicester Tigers 69
By: James Hewlett

The second Ashburton challenge gave the new look, fully professional Jersey side a chance to face off against one of the best sides in European rugby. The 3,212 strong crowd were keen to see how the dozen or so new signings led by new captain Alex Rae fared against a Leicester side coming off the back of a record tenth English title and their third in five years. The twice Heineken cup winners, contained four of their six British and Irish Lions representatives, Dan Cole, Geoff Parling and Tom Youngs all started, with Tom Croft on the bench.

Jersey started well and was determined not to be pushed about by their illustrious opponents. As early as the eighth minute Parling thought he had bulldozed over, only to be denied by a collective of Jersey bodies, notably Fred Silcock. Leicester Tigers were sharp early on however, and an incisive move by former All Black Scott Hamilton led to Parling this time scoring the opening try in the corner, Flood missing the conversion. Jersey responded well and went toe to toe with the Tigers but on the quarter hour, a line break caused an overlap and the impressive Vereniki Goneva scored the first of his two tries. A horrible scuff by Flood meant he was now nought from two kicks.

With Prop Jon Brennan taken off with injury the Jersey pack looked unsettled, but once Elvis Taione flattened Cole on 24 minutes, the crowd came alive, and moments later came the move of the half from Jersey. Nicky Griffiths continued recycling of the play, finally releasing O'Connor who in turn fed Drew Locke left to right, and the debutant scored to the delight of the home faithful. O'Conno○r converted to bring the score to 7-10.

On the half hour a messy scrum put Leicester on the attack. With Parling becoming increasingly influential, breaking tackles and leading the line, and despite last ditch Jersey heroics, Leicester's man of the match Steve Mafi scored from under a pile of bodies. This time Flood converted, 7-17.

With both teams having issues with the new scrum rules, Jersey were unable to create a platform and the Premiership Champions' ability to switch the play tested the resolve, until the stroke of half time when from a rolling maul Julian Salvi crashed over. Flood again missed to leave the score 7-22 at half time. Jersey can count themselves slightly unfortunate however not to have scored a second try, as following on from a hacked clearance Ed Dawson would have been clear and under the posts but for a bad bounce just as he was about to strike the ball.

Plenty of changes from both sides for the second half, most notably the introduction of back row Tom Croft. Jersey began the second half as they began the first, but as the game wore on the class of Leicester began to tell, with sharp hands amongst the forwards leaving a gap for scrum half David Mélé to scamper over in the corner, with Flood's last involvement again missing the conversion.
On 55 minutes, hesitancy in the Jersey midfield and some slick passing gave Goneva the easiest of run-ins to extend the lead. Owen Williams looking more assured than Flood, slotted the kick to give the Tigers a 34-7 lead.

Jersey stepped up the pace and was beginning to cause Leicester problems, but a missed penalty kick to touch was hacked into acres of space, and Adam Thompstone had the simplest job to chase, pick up and dot down a score that momentarily knocked both crowd and the Jersey players. Worse was to follow when another premiership standard move was followed by a decidedly forward pass, missed by the officials, and Jamie Gibson scored. Another Williams conversion gave a score of 7-48.
Ryan Lamb then scored two quick-fire tries as Jersey tired against the third Tigers front row of the match, both converted as Leicester began to turn the screw. Henry Purdy scored the seventh try of the half late on, and Williams with his sixth successful kick somewhat skewed the score line to a final score of Jersey 7-69 Leicester Tigers.

Jersey was more than a match for Leicester in the first half in particular, the tight five can be justifiably proud of their efforts, and the handling was a class apart from last season.  Leicester's extra match practice, fitness and sharpness was a key factor and gave a side packed with internationals the edge, and created the overlaps that eventually a dogged Jersey side were unable to withstand. Good performances by a number of debutants including Niall O'Conner, the man of the match for Jersey, will give great optimism for the season ahead and the players can be proud of their efforts against such illustrious opposition.

Jersey:Pointer, Foster, Locke, Bishop, Dawson, O'Connor, Griffths, McCarthy, Taione, Brennan, Campbell, Rae ©, Silcock, Buckle, Brown.
Replacements:Fidler, Felton, Young, Markham, Anderson, Voss, Stratford, Williams, Penberthy, Cooper, Burroughs, Copsey.

Leicester Tigers:Morris, Hamilton, Goneva, Bowden, Thompstone, Flood ©, Mele, Mulipola, Youngs T, Cole, Deacon, Parling, Mafi, Salvi, Crane.
Replacements:Humphreys, Purdy, Catchpole, Dunn, Allen, Williams, Lamb, Steele, Tressider, Stankovich, Hawkins, Briggs, Balmain, de Chavas, Price, Croft, Noone, Gibson, Waldrom.

Referee:Ian Tempest
Assistant referees:Andrew Pearce and Roy Maybank

Attendance:3,212

Star Man (Jersey):O'Connor
Star Man (Tigers):Mafi

Half time:7-22

Scorers

Jersey
Try:Locke 25
Conversion:O'Connor 25

Leicester Tigers
Tries:Parling 5, Goneva 14, 55, Mafi 31, Salvi 39, Mele 50, Thompstone 59, Gibson 62, Lamb 71,77, Purdy 79
Conversions:Flood 31, Williams 55, 59, 62, 71, 77, 79

Siam Cup Preview

The Siam cup, the second oldest trophy in the world, is an annual event between the islands of Jersey and Guernsey. It may not even register on the boards in 99% of rugby clubs across the British Isles, but I can assure you, on these two little rocks off the coast of France, it is a big deal, an annual event that involves blood sweat and tears aplenty. Local rivalry at its most intense, in its darker moments it has spilled off the pitch, but these incidents are few, and any ill feeling is usually left on the pitch, (if not certainly after a couple of jars of the clubhouse's finest ale)

Jersey have achieved national aclaim during their meterioric rise to the second tier of English rugby, leaving their smaller amateur neighbours behind somewhat, and are fully expected to win their fifth straight Siam. But as in any David versus Goliath match, sometimes David gets lucky.

 

 

Guernsey Rugby, a brief history.

Officially the club was only founded in 1928, despite strong evidence indicating the sport was played in the mid nineteenth century, although recent claims that they have just celebrated their centenary only add to the confusion. GRFC joined the league structure at level ten in 1987/88 playing in Hampshire division two, winning promotion in their first season. This was to be the highlight for some time as GRFC struggled to compete before relegation ensued in 1992/93. During this time they played league matches against their bigger island brothers from 1989/90 until 1991/92 when Jersey were promoted, (three seasons later in 1994/95 was the last time the two islands were to compete in the same division). GRFC bounced back to level nine in the 1993/94 season and they remained in that division for ten years, before successive promotions (2003/04 and 2004/05) taking them up to national level seven. Slowly becoming a force to be reckoned with in this division, they gradually improved and achieved back to back promotions once again in 2010/11 and in 2011/12.

2012/13

GRFC went into their first ever season in the National League aiming for a top-four finish in National Three London and South-East, perhaps even pushing for promotion. This was not to be the case as injury troubles throughout the campaign left them unable to get their best side out consistently, and subsequently they had to be satisfied with eighth place with 12 wins from their 26 games. Still an achievement for the only amateur side in the division, their coach Jordan Reynolds is of the belief that with his best 18-man match-day squad out, his side would have been a match for anybody. They have admitted the squad just does not have the strength in depth of others in the division and struggled to cope, especially when ‘star names’ were missing. Guernsey’s luck was summed up when one of their big pre-season signings, New Zealander Villi Tosi, was injured in a pre-season warm up match in Jersey and never got to play a league game for them. Manager Jordan Reynolds to his credit has refused to complain and got on with the job, although he did admit in a recent interview that he was happy the season was coming to an end after the penultimate match of the league season where he was missing virtually a whole side. With only two wins in their last six league matches (albeit one was a 78-9 drubbing of bottom side Staines), GRFC do not come into this fixture in the same winning form as twelve months ago. The playing ambition, certainly that of coach Jordan Reynolds, is to be aiming for promotion. He just wants to keep progressing. Of course, resources play a large part in that and GRFC are limited both in player numbers and little funding, but with a squad as small as GRFC have, and with injuries blighting the side, the ability to get a settled side and rhythm will always be a massive challenge.

 

The Siam Cup.

The second oldest cup in history, behind only the Calcutta Cup, (England v. Scotland), the Siam has a story all of its own. Between 1910-1913, five former pupils of Elizabeth and Victoria colleges met up while serving in the Siam Constabulary. They decided to commission a trophy to stimulate interest in rugby football in the islands which had been in demise due to the upsurge in association football.

Each man contributed a sum of money before they obtained permission of the HM King Rama VI to convert the coinage into a trophy. Not only did the King of Siam give his permission, he also instructed his Royal Crown Silversmith to create a unique trophy.

The Siam Cup was brought to Guernsey by Lt. Col. C H Forty in 1920, and was presented to the Guernsey Sporting Club to be put up for competition. Unfortunately at this time no rugby clubs were actually playing the sport in Guernsey or Jersey.

However in 1928, rugby re-commenced as a sport and Forty requested the trophy be released to the GRUFC for inter-club competition. Despite this, it was not until 14 March 1935 that the cup was presented in its first inter-insular as originally intended by its five donors.

The annual competition has continued since then, with the exception between 1941-1947 because of the occupation of the Channel Islands by the Germans when it was hidden from the occupying forces who wanted it to be melted down for funds to go to the Third Reich. Quite where it was hidden is a mystery to this day. The original trophy was beginning to show signs of age, so to save it from irreparable damage the clubs now play for a near perfect replica trophy produced from a mould by renowned local silversmith Bruce Russell. The original trophy can still be viewed at the RFU museum at Twickenham.

The deep rooted rivalry between the two islands has never been in doubt. As you’d expect, Jersey have the most wins from this fixture, although 55-15 (with one draw) does portray a Caesarean dominance not always apparent when the two teams have clashed. More recent history has seen Jersey utterly dominant, since GRFC shocked the home faithful in 2008 with a 22-13 win to retain the trophy, despite the difference of two divisions between the sides. Jersey, again at home, took the honours with a 36-6 in 2009, 36-0 in Guernsey in 2010 on their way to a historic date at Twickenham, and a record 75-5 annihilation at St Peter in 2011. Despite a 29-0 reverse in the mud at home last season, GRFC kept their more illustrious opponents scoreless in the second half in a game that restored the pride and meaning to a contest sadly lacking the season before. With only eleven points scored in four contests the job facing GRFC is getting larger by the season and one wonders that unless the rules regarding eligibility are changed that the status quo will remain for some time. Whisper is quietly but the GRFC faithful, whilst always wanting to win, would be happy to keep the score respectable against a largely full time professional side ranked 23^rd in the country. GRFC still are at amateur status, and whilst some have jobs found by the club, unlike JRFC no one actually gets paid to play. In fact without any benefactors, the club is funded solely by sponsorship and this season by a small admission charge.

With little scope for part-time players in the harsh Championship environment, many of the Jersey match-day squad may not be involved in 2013/14, whilst it is also a chance to say goodbye to former skipper Nathan Hannay (Leeds), Michael Le Bourgeois (Bedford) and retiring Dave McCormack and Graham Bell amongst others.  Another win by Jersey is expected by all, bar the fanatically proud Guernsey-men, especially after Jersey’s season steeled in the harshness of the Championship. A difference of three levels along with a virtual team of full time professionals to choose from is surely an insurmountable task. But the Siam is a one off, and for some playing in their first Siam it may be a shock to appreciate the ferocity of today’s visitors. GRFC may now look up to JRFC in terms of where the club currently is, but there will be no quarter given on the pitch regardless. With the cold wet winter behind us, the comfort of another season in the second tier secured, it should be a day for the reds to relax, spin the ball and play some attractive running rugby. It should, but I have a feeling that it will be a far different test to what JRFC have faced this season, whatever the outcome, we all hope for a better game than when GRFC last graced these shores (but obviously with the same result)

A decade of the Siam

2002: Jersey 23 Guernsey 8
2003: Guernsey 0 Jersey 27
2004: Jersey 32 Guernsey 22 (The ninth straight Jersey win on their 125^th anniversary)
2005: Guernsey 28 Jersey 24 (The smallest winning margin in the Siam Cup since 1988)
2006: Jersey 38 Guernsey 13 (A red card for Matt Banahan in his final Siam appearance)

2007: Guernsey 17 Jersey 8 (The lowest-scoring Siam since Jersey won 18-3 in 1991)
2008: Jersey 13 Guernsey 22 (Three from four and the last Sarnian win)
2009: Jersey 34 Guernsey 6 (Three tries in injury time flatter Jersey)
2010: Guernsey 0 Jersey 36 (Jersey’s 27^th straight win of the season)
2011: Jersey 73 Guernsey 5 (An 11-try rout, the biggest winning margin in Siam history)
2012: Guernsey 0 Jersey 29 (GRFC scoreless for the third time in five home matches)

 

Who to look out for (Guernsey)

 

Nick Barton

Number Eight

All time leading points scorer with over 1000 GRFC points. Talismanic number eight Nick Barton, has had another successful season high up the try scoring charts once again. Described by manager Reynolds as a ‘Colossus in both defence and attack’ in the heavy defeat two seasons ago. The most consistent player in their ranks, he rarely has a bad game, even whilst carrying a potentially serious injury for much of this season.

 

Tom Pool

Flanker

Influential open-side flanker Tom Pool, formerly of Bristol, has been outstanding in whichever role he has played this season – hooker, flanker or inside centre. Playing his last match for the Green and Whites, he along with Barton has also featured heavily in the try scorer’s chart this season. Pool will be leaving at end of the season to play a higher level once more.

 

Jason Harvey

Centre

Centre Jason Harvey, has topped the Guernsey try scorers charts this season with fourteen. Australian Harvey signed in the summer from Queensland Premier rugby heavyweights, ‘Brothers’, having also spent time on the wing, Harvey has been a key player for GRFC this season.

Eight of the side – Cameron Craine (prop), Tom Pool, Lewis Hillier (second row), Jim Regnard (flanker), Nick Barton, Blair Campbell (fly-half), Chris Wood (centre), and Jason Harvey – played for Hampshire last week in a 41-19 win over Middlesex. Scrum half Malcolm Barnes would have been selected too if fit, and with several more including the Batiste’s interesting the Hampshire selectors, it shows that Guernsey rugby is in good health.

As for the GRFC fans’ favourites, that is without doubt man-mountain prop Layton Batiste, whose barnstorming ‘runs’ always get a cheer. Many will remember his ample frame trotting manfully around the park in the heavy defeat two seasons ago after coming on as a sub. He will be keen to impress his game on the powerful Jersey front row.

Jersey RFC Vs Doncaster Knights, The big one!

This game really has taken on astronomical significance in the life of Jersey Rugby Club. Its first visit to level two of the English league structure was always going to be decided with this the final home game, but has taken on even more significance with the fact that the team in most trouble are the visitors to St Peter. It's not quite win or bust, but the to the victor goes the spoils so the saying goes and the team who loses today will surely be facing National One rugby next season.

The Jersey team (yet to be announced at time of publishing) will be dependant on perhaps the two most influential players returning (hopefully) from injury. Former captain Nathan Hannay and fan favourite Guy Thompson have both been sidelined recently due to injury. A return will boost the whole club and will give a huge crowd an added lift even before a ball is kicked.

What of the opponents Doncaster? Eight years at this level, after a meterioric rise from level ten in the league structure has seen them compete consistently without setting the world on fire, but to be in this position when some had hoped they may even challenge for a play-off spot, has been hard to take for this proud Yorkshire side.

Despite some evidence to suggest that the club is possibly older, Doncaster Rugby Football Club was founded in 1875. It led a fairly nomadic life for its first half century playing at numerous sites around the area, even having a spell at the turn of the century when they joined the Northern Union.

Playing-wise for many years Doncaster Rugby Football Club were a solid if unspectacular Yorkshire side enjoying good and bad seasons alike. Its first taste of real success didn’t come until 1979 when it won the Yorkshire Shield, a knock out cup competition for junior clubs. At roughly the same time ‘Donny’ introduced mini-rugby and this has developed to such an extent that they now have over 400 junior members, making it the largest in Yorkshire and the most successful, in terms of county cups they have won.

Doncaster Rugby Football Club started the league rugby era in Yorkshire Two (national level ten) in its inaugural season in 1987/88, gaining promotion to Yorkshire One two seasons later. At this time Donny's Colts sides embarked on a remarkable run of four consecutive County Cup finals, two of which they won. This prompted the club to adopt a 'home grown' policy which still exists to this day. This policy was very successful and the club gained three consecutive promotions.

At the start of the 1996/7 season, their coach for the previous five seasons, Paul Morris, stood down to become Director of Rugby and they entered the professional era by employing former West Hartlepool and North of England lock Kevin Westgarth as their Rugby Development Officer/Player-Coach. The club hardly looked back as they won all 22 of their league fixtures that season to finish well clear at the top of North Two. They reached the final of the Intermediate Cup before losing to a disputed try in the final at Twickenham. For the first time in their history they also reached the final of the Yorkshire Cup losing to Sandal, four days after their Twickenham match.

In 1997/98 they finished second in North One on equal points to the winners New Brighton who had a superior match points difference. They again reached the Yorkshire Cup final, this time narrowly losing to Leeds at Morley. The Second XV won the finals of both the South Yorkshire Trophy and Northern Second XV Merit Table. The Junior Section won their Yorkshire Cup at Under 16’s and Under 13’s and drew at Under 12’s. Eight of their players represented the county including Richard Senior who captained the side.

The following season after a mid-season falter, Donny won their last seven matches and comprehensively beat the then league leaders Northern by thirty points in their last game in front of a crowd of over 2,000 to win North Division One, gaining promotion into the National Leagues, as well as winning the Yorkshire Cup by beating Sandal. Following this, in February of that year Donny were formally told that they were to receive a £1.8m lottery grant towards the cost of providing three additional pitches and a brand new clubhouse complete with 12 dressing rooms, a weight training gymnasium, a multi-activity suite, dedicated medical/physiotherapy facilities and social areas.

National Two became the level at which progression based on home grown talent was to prove a step too far and after finishing seventh a rethink brought Kingsley Jones, the former Welsh captain, to Doncaster as a playing Director of Rugby, who stiffened the squad significantly. Heartened by a fourth place finish, it was to be the launching pad for the coming seasons. Sadly though, Jones was to leave Doncaster to become forwards coach at Sale. The search for his replacement brought 33-cap former Springbok Pieter Muller to the club, and under his leadership the championship and promotion was won. This was the Club's eighth promotion in the 15 years of leagues in England and had never been achieved previously. The strength in depth within the Club was also reinforced as the Second XV retained the N2C league title they had secured the year before, and the Colts won the Yorkshire Cup for a second successive season.

The step up into National One took some time to adjust to. Home support was excellent, though, and the growing awareness of the club and its values around the area was noticeable. After 17 games, with just five wins and languishing in the bottom two, Peter Muller left the club. A panel of senior players under the guidance of Paul Morris took responsibility for all team affairs and there was a significant improvement in the later stages of the season, culminating in six wins in the last eight matches. The club finished with more wins (ten) and more league points (52) than any of the previously promoted clubs into the second tier. The final game saw club captain Rob Liley reach the 1000 point mark for the club from his four seasons, and the 2000 point mark in an illustrious career before retiring. Clive Griffiths, the Wales defence coach, joined Doncaster as the new Director of Rugby in June 2006, and immediately signed up Jason Forster to join him as forwards coach in a set-up that took its first steps towards professional rugby with over half the squad on full-time contracts.

The newly branded Doncaster Knights exceeded all expectations the following season. After leading the Division going into the New Year the Knights eventually finished in third place with 22 wins and one draw in 30 league matches. Silverware did appear when the Yorkshire Cup was won again, but that season high was tempered by the news that Clive Griffiths was to leave the club to taste Premiership rugby. Jason Forster retired as a player and returned to Wales. Their legacy, however, remains to this day.

A solid if unspectacular side, Donny have finished fifth, seventh, sixth and eighth over the last four seasons, well clear of relegation. They lay claim to be the most promoted club in England, (rising from level ten, Jersey from level eight). Quite how they have found themselves in this position after eight seasons in the second tier is a mystery to supporters as they firmly believe, like Jersey, that they are a better side than the table suggests. Even in the British and Irish Cup, four defeats have come with an aggregate losing margin of only eight points. Since possibly Jersey’s most frustrating defeat away to Donny, the Knights have lost seven from eight, but again can feel aggrieved at only picking up three losing bonus points, where four matches could realistically have been won.

The phrase ‘must win’ is a much overworked phrase, but in a game that neither can afford to lose, it really is a game that to preserve their status in the second tier of English rugby, Jersey have to come out on top. Relying on an away trip to the Cornish Pirates is not something the club would welcome so today’s match really is the crunch. If Jersey’s players and supporters are coming to see a big win over a side beaten, dejected and in poor form, then they need to seriously think again. This is a side who still believe that they can beat the drop, still with a game in hand, and much like our own side feel that the last two home matches should have yielded far more than they received. Only a big victory for Jersey would relegate Doncaster so mathematically it may not be over whatever the result, but realistically Jersey would be safe with a win, as Donny would need big wins away at Bedford and home to Plymouth in the coming week. Due to the weather the final three games in the space of seven days would surely be too much to ask.

Former Welsh supremo, Clive Griffiths returned mid-season, just before the Jersey game, and whilst results have not followed, the defence was shored up and performances improved. The difference in the two sides is marginal at best. Jersey would appear to be the side on the up and in better form but today is a day that the supporters also need to bring their A-game and in big numbers. We turned up in force for the Bristol game, and all saw how close Jersey were in upsetting one of the biggest sides in the country, not just this division. The players and coaching staff have reiterated how important the ‘Fortress St Peter’ factor is, none more so in what is arguably the biggest game ever to be staged in Jersey. On the pitch what we will have in abundance will be heart, but also both sides do possess a great deal of skill that has been hampered by the heavy pitches in what seemed like an endless cold wet winter. Jersey has what it takes to edge this clash but it will not be for the fainthearted.

 

 

Who to look out for.

 

Matt Challinor (captain).

Second Row.

At six feet five and over 18 stone, Doncaster captain Matt Challinor has been an ever present this season for the Knights having started all 19 league games to date. Signed back from Rotherham two seasons ago where he was a player’s player of the year in 2010, the former England under 18 and 20 player has also represented Yorkshire. Once on the books at Leeds, Challinor has been in fine form all season with a number of impressive performances and has recently committed his future to the club after signing a new contract for the next two seasons. The previous coaching regime had no hesitation in asking him to step up from vice-captain to skipper the side for this campaign, having played for Donny in the lower leagues.

 

Dante Mama.

Centre.

Utility back Mama, spent time dual registered between Leicester Tigers and Nottingham. Whilst completing his studies at Loughborough University he also turned out for a very successful ‘Students’ side. Mama was a try scoring part of the Championship Select XV who faced the New Zealand Maori All Blacks at Castle Park last November which included our own Nathan Hannay, having also scored a try for Donny in the home win over Jersey that same month. Priding himself on the mental and physical fitness sides of the game, he is comfortable at both full-back and on the wing. The Nigerian born flyer is also a former Zimbabwean under 18’s and 20’s star, having represented the Great Britain student sevens team, in the World Student games last summer.

 

Tyson Lewis.

Wing.

Donny’s top scorer this season with six tries in the league, matching our own talismanic figures of Guy Thompson and Nicky Griffiths, as well as a couple in the B and I cup. Law graduate Lewis 26, notched an impressive 34 tries for Blackheath during his two seasons with the National One outfit, winning coach’s player of the year awards during his time there, finishing third in the try charts in his second year before stepping up a level to join Plymouth for last season. A talented sevens player, the speedster was one of only two non-Premiership players nominated for the J-P Morgan series player of the year. Lewis joined the Knights at the start of this season scoring the opening try against Jersey at Castle Park when the two met in November.

 

Michael Keating.

Full back.
A product of the Leinster academy, 24 year old Irishman Keating signed last year for the Knights and was pitched straight into the fray when he made his debut in the starting XV against Bristol in the first game of the season. Keating's chances at Leinster were limited due to their first-choice wingers being established Irish internationals Shane Horgan and Luke Fitzgerald, but the former under-20 Irish international  made a big impression on the Championship, scoring ten tries in his debut campaign last year. A shoulder Injury earlier this season has hampered his progress, but he won the man of the match award in his first match back this January to underline his importance to the side.

 

James Tincknell.

Centre/Wing.

Once on the books with Leeds when they were in the Premiership, Tincknell is a former Wharfdale player, one of three in the Donny squad who turned out for them at St Peter last season. Rated as one of the most promising young players in the country, making 13 Premiership appearances before he was involved in a car crash in early 2011. He was in a coma for over a month, before winning the 2011 Blyth Spirit Award, from the Rugby Players’ association. After a long hard recovery that saw him loaned back to hometown club Wharfdale, the six feet four powerhouse scored four tries in ten appearances last term. Only been in the game for five years after giving up professional cricket with Durham, he clearly still has a very bright future.

 

Jamie Lennard.

Fly-half.

Much travelled Fly-half Lennard is back at Doncaster for his second stint at the club after three years away having secured a two year contract with London Irish following his last spell. Lennard is a point scoring machine for the Knights, he has amassed 130 points in 18 league appearances for Knights this season and is one of the divisions best place kickers having notched a record total of 298 points in his last season at Castle Park, earning him the move to Irish. Comfortable at full back, he was also on the books at London Welsh, Worcester, Moseley, Rotherham and last season Bedford, he also represented England under 21’s and at student level.

 

Adam Kettle.

Back Row.

Fans favourite Kettle has been a stand out performer this season for Knights with a series of strong performances. The recruitment consultant has lots of Championship experience having turned out for Bedford, Plymouth and Rotherham in his career. Now in his second spell with the club, Kettle has formed a strong back row partnership with Will Hafu and Chris Planchant that has flourished in recent weeks, known for his powerful ball carrying and big tackles, he is sure to cause Jersey problems.

 

 

 

 

Jersey RFC Vs Bristol RFC

Bristol Rugby.

 

Bristol Rugby have been one of the better sides in this division in recent years, topping the regular season table twice in the last three years, including last season. Having a slow start they zoomed back into play-off/promotion contention, currently sitting fifth and three points behind Leeds in the final play-off spot. They would have been much better set had they not lost their last two matches, along with the manager, who paid the price for blowing a 14-0 lead in defeat at struggling Moseley. A game Jersey will be hopeful of points even if noone outside the club expects anything other than a defeat, the upsurge in form will test Bristol's resolve far more than the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

A brief history of Bristol.

Bristol Rugby Football Club was formed in 1888 when the ambitious Carlton Rugby Club invited rival clubs, Redland Park and Westbury Park, to join in forming a representative city team. Westbury initially decided against the merger, although after they folded a few years later many of their players ended up at Bristol anyway.

Bris’ had a mixed start to life in the rugby family, but under the guidance of their charismatic captain, W. Tommy Thomson, a corner was turned and in 1891/92, wearing the familiar navy and white hooped shirts, the Bristol team won twenty games out of twenty four, thus becoming an established club.

By the turn of the century the biggest clubs from England and Wales were regular visitors, and it was around this time that they signed James "Darkie" Peters. Peters was the first black player to represent England. An outside half, he made 35 appearances for Bristol from 1900 to 1902, scoring twelve tries.

The club was mothballed during the First World War, but after the war a Bristol United side was formed to provide rugby for returning servicemen. This led to the rebirth of Bristol Rugby in 1919. Their home at the County Ground was no longer available for games so the Club rented a field at Radnor Road, Horfield, although occasional matches were staged at Bristol City and Bristol Rovers football grounds. Radnor Road was only ever going to be a temporary home, so in 1921 the Memorial Ground was opened. This venue, dedicated as a memorial to local rugby players who fell in the war, has been the Club's home ever since.

In what has been termed 'The Blake Era', outside-half John Blake became captain in 1957 and under his inspirational leadership the club which was developing an entertaining running style of rugby, involving backs and forwards, began to set the standards. This fast fluid formula was years ahead of its time. The Bristol club set and broke records for wins in a season and points scored, with goal kicking forward Gordon Cripps rewriting the individual points scoring records.

The club hit a phenomenal high in 1965/66 when 39 games were won, and again in 1971/72 (which was the Club's best ever season), with a thousand points being scored for the first time, and the team being crowned unofficial English and English-Welsh champions. The seventies were halcyon days with many players representing England, and this continued into the following decade when they beat Leicester to win the John Player Cup in 1983.

Bristol adapted poorly to the new league rugby structure, as the administrators of the club failed to get a handle on the professional era. In 1998 relegation was the least of their worries as only benefactor Malcolm Pearce saved the club from financial ruin. Despite this uncertainty the club bounced straight back to the top flight at the first attempt, after an impressive season where virtually a whole side made debuts during the campaign.

Head coach Bob Dwyer assembled a fine side for their Premiership campaign, which despite World Cup disruption (where Bris' had seven representatives), they finished a more than successful season in sixth place, narrowly missing the European Cup places, as well as semi-finals of the Tetley’s Bitter Cup where they lost to eventual winners Wasps.

A strong Argentine influence was growing at the club, with new signing Felipe Contepomi joining the already established Agustin Pichot and Eduardo Simone. Despite a slow start, ten games undefeated including wins over the champions Leicester followed. Ninth place was respectable and growing attendances showed the playing style of the club was improving also.

Before the start of the 2001/02 season, changes that were to put the club on a new level were put in place. The Club had a new name, Bristol Shoguns, thanks to a record breaking sponsorship package with giants Mitsubishi. The team also saw the arrival of some of the game's most promising talent, along with experienced internationals such as Julian White and double world cup winning centre, Jason Little being brought in.

Despite a mixed start, the Memorial Stadium witnessed some breath-taking rugby during the second half of the season. With the Shoguns finishing the season with the most bonus points in the Premiership, three players in the top try scorers chart, a place at Twickenham in the final of the Zurich Championship, and also a place in the Heineken Cup for the following season.

Unfortunately the bubble burst as stars such as Dean Ryan left the club, Little retired and DoR Jack Rowell returned to Bath. Pearce withdrew his funding, despite the lucrative sponsorship deals put in place the previous year. The club now stared down the barrel of extinction for the second time. With a squad comprised mostly of under 21 players the club was saved, but relegation followed. Life in the second tier began under the guidance of former England great Richard Hill, winning promotion back to the Premiership in 2004/05.

Surviving their first season back in 11th place, the 2006/07 season had Bris' tipped for relegation. They surpassed all expectations by finishing in an extraordinary third place, losing in the semi-final of the play-offs to Leicester. Sadly this was to prove a one-off as a lack of funding, and difficulties mainly off the field, due to renovations of the Memorial Field, led to another relegation in 2008/09.

Back in the second tier, the following season they again topped the regular season table, but this time had to negotiate a somewhat bizarre eight team play-off for promotion. Despite not always playing well, they negotiated themselves to a two legged final with Exeter Chiefs, who put Bristol to the sword winning by a convincing 22 points on aggregate. The following season, whilst much was expected, failed to bear fruit. An indifferent start led to a poor season, which saw them escape the relegation play-offs by only three points. Despite this poor return they still made the promotion play-offs, but this time winning only once. Last season saw them bounce back in fine style once again, sitting proudly on top of the regular season table for the second time in three seasons, and topping their play-off group unbeaten. However, a crazy 14 minute period in a 45-24 defeat in the semi-final first leg when they shipped 28 points (against Cornish Pirates) meant that a 29-18 home win was to see them fail once again, as London Welsh who finished 14 points behind in the regular season, and below them in their play-off group were promoted.

Bristol in 2012/13.

The best supported club in the division in terms of numbers, they average over 1400 more than any other team, well over double Jersey’s average in this rugby hot bed. Steve Lansdown now owns the club and has announced they will soon share homes with Bristol City FC, either at their current ground, or new stadium to be built. The signing of Premiership players and the drive to attain more is a clear indication that Bris’ are thinking very much for a return to the top flight, be it this season or next. Changes in the promotion structure have been put into place for this season, much driven by the Bristol hierarchy, and this has seen the Bristol side recover from a slow start to be entering what would seem to be promotion challenging form. Former Head Coach Liam Middleton made it no secret that he had a plan in place, perhaps looking at the London Welsh model when they peaked at the end of the season. The early season home win over Jersey would appear to be the defining moment of the season, although the signing of former England and Scotland head coach Andy Robinson (who initially joined as the Director of Rugby) cannot be ignored. Prior to the Jersey game the Bristolians had lost five and won only three of their first eight games, but a six try haul against the Reds (who were down to 14 men for most of the second half) began a sequence that saw them race up the table, losing only once in the following eight, before in-form Nottingham won narrowly.

The British and Irish cup also appears to have been taken seriously, fielding strong sides in winning all six pool matches, rewarding them with a home quarter final against the winners of Jersey’s pool, Leinster. The Moseley defeat last week however, cost Middleton his job, with Robinson taking over, and it remains to be seen what effect this will have on the West Country side. A play-off place seems well within their grasp, especially looking at their upcoming fixtures, which whilst always tricky in this league, most seem winnable. Bris’ away form of three wins and five defeats would suggest that Jersey could sneak some points from this game, especially after Bris’ defeat at fellow strugglers Moseley and our own performance last week versus Nottingham. There is now real belief both on and off the pitch that Jersey can and will survive. A lot of hard work needs to be put in before then, but in this, the penultimate home game, a point’s return would be a hammer blow to Doncaster who are currently six points adrift.

Bristol, who to look out for:

Rhys Lawrence.

Hooker.

Twenty fours year old, English born, raised in Swansea, Lawrence signed from Llanelli RFC and the Scarlets. In 2008 he won six Welsh under 20 caps, including a Man of the Match against Ireland during the Six Nations. He appeared in the first U20's World Championship in 2008 hosted in Wales, playing in three pool games before injury ended his tournament in the game against France. In his second season with Bristol, and with three tries this season he has already matched last season’s tally. He has a solid set piece along with dynamic carrying with some good touches in attack. More-so he has regularly been a top defender. Popular with the home support, is work rate around the rucks cannot be underestimated.

 

Ruki Tipuna.
Scrum Half.

Tipuna, born in New Zealand, previously played for the Bay of Plenty Steamers and Wellington (where he played against the 2005 British and Irish Lions). He also pulled on the shirt for the Hurricanes and in Wales for the Scarlets. A vastly experienced number nine, Tipuna has also represented arguably the best sevens team, New Zealand and the New Zealand Māori teams, having captained the All Blacks all the way through the junior ranks. In August 2011, Tipanu joined the Scarlets on a short term contract, before joining Bristol Rugby in November of the same year. He immediately became first choice scrum-half at Bristol, making twenty appearances. Sharp around the fringes, he will cause any opposition no end of problems.

 

Jack Gadd.

Centre.

At 6 feet one and 108kg, Gadd was with the Bristol Academy for the last few seasons, having joined the club in 2009. He has represented Wales at U18 and U20’s level, playing a key role in Wales’ U20’s 2011 Six Nations campaign. Gadd made one appearance during the 2011/12 season, featuring against Ayr in the British and Irish Cup before requiring two operations last summer to correct a hip condition he has had since birth. But after a year of recovery he has now been first choice for the former manager this season, impressing as one of the ‘young guns’ in the Bristol side, having taken his opportunity due to early season injuries to previous first choice players.

 

George Watkins.

Winger.

Another home-grown talent, Watkins has just signed a new contract having made 80 appearances already in his short career. Born in 1990, Watkins enjoyed a hugely successful 2011/12 campaign, cementing his place in the first team with a series of impressive displays having joined the Bristol Academy in 2009.Watkins made 26 appearances for the Club last season, finishing as top scorer with 13 tries. With nine tries to his name this season (six in the league), he is the clubs top scorer once again, and quite astonishingly he is fourth highest overall for Bristol in competitive games with 39, and quite clearly has a bright future ahead of him.

 

James Grindal.
Scrum Half.

Born in 1980, captain Grindal has been capped by England at Under-21 level. He attended King Henry VIII School in Coventry where he partnered England international Andy Goode, who he was later to partner again at Leicester some years later. Grindal initially joined Coventry but before long he was off to Leicester Tigers where he made his first-team debut aged just 19. He could not quite cement his place in the first team only making 21 appearances in his three years he was at the club. This prompted Grindal to move to another Premiership club, Newcastle, where he made 106 first-team appearances, many partnered with World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson. He was called into the England Saxons side that defeated Ireland in 2008. On 25 June 2009 it was confirmed that he would return to Leicester, before joining Bristol at the end of the 2011/12 season. With three Premiership titles, two Heineken cups and a Powergen cup, Grindal has the wealth of experience needed to gel Bristol’s young side together.

 

Tristan Roberts.
Fly half.

Prolific point’s scorer Roberts, has represented both the England Students and the England Counties XV. He was selected to play in the same RFU representative side as our own Nathan Hannay earlier this season. Originally at Bristol, he moved first to Cinderford before signing for Premiership side Gloucester. Whilst there he duel-registered with Doncaster, and for Moseley, where he was the RFU's leading points scorer in 2009/10 despite Mose finishing only eighth, also helping them to win the National Trophy in 2009. Resigning for Bris’ in 2011, he notched 245 points last term in his 23 appearances. With an exciting running game to add to his kicking prowess, he is definitely a danger man.

Jersey RFC Vs Nottingham RFC

Jersey Rugby Versus Nottingham Rugby, Part Deux.

 

After the farcical circumstances surrounding the first attempt at getting this match played, Jersey versus Nottingham part deux will take place this Saturday, snow permitting of course. Where we basked in beautiful sunshine at the last non-event, it will most likely be replaced by drizzle and bitterly cold conditions. Nottingham will find Jersey in fine fettle having recruited well prior to the transfer deadline, and having the bonus of a first away win last Saturday in Plymouth. Relegation fears were eased if nowhere near eradicated with Doncaster’s defeat over the same weekend; Saturdays match is the first of a Jersey triple header against play-off hopefuls, with Bristol (home) and Newcastle (away) where the pressure will be off the Reds, before the season showdown against Doncaster. The ‘one trick pony’ tag referring to Jersey ability to only win in the mud has been laid to rest, and with eight tries in the last two matches confidence will be climbing.

 

Nottingham in 2012/13

After head Coach Glenn Delaney's departure in the summer after seven years, joining London Irish as Forwards Coach, a new head coach, 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 eighteen try scorers, with captain Brent Wilson only two behind 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 regular season championship challenge has been curtailed however with a less than convincing performance on the road, losing all bar one 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. The form guide showed that they had won six in a row before a shock loss to Scottish that saw them lose second temporarily before turning over Bristol in Bristol. Despite this, there appears to be real belief in the home camp that Jersey can get something out of this match, buoyed on by a big vocal partisan crowd, (there will sadly be a lack of visiting support for the ‘rematch’) and with home matches scarce, points are becoming an increasingly valuable comoditity. Nottingham are without doubt a classy act, but with only Newcastle lowering the home colours in the last five, and Nottingham losing four from seven league matches away from home, another shock is not beyond the Reds.

 

 

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.