GOSPORT & FAREHAM were supposed to be ‘challenge number one’ of a difficult three fixtures for Jersey RFC.
However, the trip to Hampshire turned out to be a procession after their ‘most complete performance to date’.
The hosts sat in fifth place of Counties 1 Hampshire (London & SE Division), but could not get a foothold against the runaway leaders.
Thirteen tries later, the shell-shocked mainland outfit had just five points to show, to Jersey’s 75.
It was a statement victory for a side with clear aspirations to reach far greater heights in the coming years.
The Island’s top amateurs played only 13 games throughout last season, under the Jersey Athletic banner – compared to ten league games in just over two months this season.
What is clear, is that Myles Landick’s men can handle the attrition of a packed schedule. A trait which bodes very well for the future.
‘The game against Gosport & Fareham started long before the first whistle,’ said the head coach. ‘I don’t think we have prepared well enough for our away games, in terms of warming up fully prior to the game.
‘We needed to improve on the “away blues” feeling and ensure that we were ready to go from the off. That was our focus ahead of this away trip and the lads were spot on.’
Of the 13 tries scored, George Willmott scored three, while Nathan Rogers, Dom Mayo and Jack Macfarlane all scored two.
There was also a try on his first game back for centre Scott McClurg, following his time off to train for his ‘white collar boxing’ bout.
Andrew Pitcher, debutant Stewart Wylie and Tommy Turner rounded off a first-class display, which served to highlight the strength in depth of this fledgling side.
Landick said: ‘I have been pleading for a complete performance from the lads and they were spot on. To score that many points away from home against a decent side was brilliant.
‘The only points they scored were from an intercepted pass on our own 22-metre line and they were only inside our 22 about three times all game.
‘We want to be a ruthless side and that’s exactly what we were.’
His side now get a week to recuperate, before a home tie with second-placed Eastleigh, who are eight points adrift.
‘The next match is huge. If we get a win then suddenly a 12- or 13-point gap opens up.
‘Just below us, teams are beating each other which has given us this cushion, and the aim is to carry on building on that advantage.’
The Islanders will then face another high-flier in the shape of fourth-placed Havant II, prior to a completely different pair of games against struggling sides Basingstoke and Petersfield ahead of the Christmas break.
Jersey RFC: Jake Bates, Jack MacFarlane, George Thomas, Euan Spencer, Bryn Edwards, Andrew Pitcher, Tim Corson, George Willmott, Max Harrington, Tommy Turner, Stewart Wylie, Dom Mayo, Scott McClurg, Eryk Swiech, Nathan Rogers. Replacements: Joe Ridgeway, James Guyatt, Craig Simeon.
