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Nottingham v Jersey Reds preview

A tight encounter is in prospect this Friday night as Jersey Reds renew their rivalry with Nottingham. Although the Reds are currently higher in the Championship rankings than their hosts, recent history shows a series of close encounters when the two sides meet at Lady Bay. The Green-and-Whites were victorious by 24-20 the last time they entertained the Reds at Easter 2019, while the previous encounter was drawn 19-19 on the first Friday of December in 2017. Prior to that meeting, the Reds won 19-24 in January 2017 and 15-22 in March 2016. Overall the Reds have won 10 of the 16 Championship match-ups between the clubs, with five Nottingham victories and the one draw. The most recent encounter was at Stade Santander International last April, when the Reds celebrated their first home league match for 60 weeks by scoring nine tries and winning 55-12. After a tough day at the office for his squad last Saturday, when they defeated second-placed Cornish Pirates 15-5 in atrocious weather conditions, Director of Rugby Harvey Biljon drafts five fresh faces into his starting XV. New signing Tom Everard - see earlier announcement - will start in the second row as Macauley Cook switches to the bench, while in front of him Luke Yendle gets an opportunity at tight-head, with Steve Longwell joining the replacements. In the back row, Max Argyle moves across to number eight in place of the injured Wesley White, with Alex Humfrey coming in at blind-side flanker. James Elliott comes in at scrum-half, rotating with James Mitchell, while Jordan Holgate is back in the midfield with Dan Barnes moving to the bench. The Jersey bench also includes 20-year-old Max Ayling, who is in line for a competitive debut after arriving on the Island this summer. The fixture if one of just two of the Reds’ 20 league games not being staged on a Saturday this season, the other being the trip to Cornish Pirates on the final Sunday of February. After their return from the east Midlands, the Reds will build up to Christmas with successive home games at the Stade, with Coventry and London Scottish the visitors on Saturday December 11th and Saturday December 18th. Although Jersey Reds Athletic scheduled home game on Saturday was cancelled, Jersey Reds Women will be in action with a trip to Horsham on Sunday (k-o 2pm). Jersey Reds 1st XV squad v Nottingham Rugby (A) – RFU Championship match 9/20, Lady Bay Sportsground, Friday November 2nd, k-o 7.45pm (* competitive debut) Backs (15-9) Brendan Owen; Harry Simmons, Jack Roberts, Jordan Holgate, Will Brown; Sam Leeming, James Elliott. Forwards (1-8) James Flynn, Eoghan Clarke, Luke Yendle, Tom Everard*, Sean O’Connor, Alex Humfrey, Lewis Wynne (capt), Max Argyle. Replacements (16-23) Harry Doolan, Roy Godfrey, Steve Longwell, Max Ayling*, Macauley Cook; James Mitchell, Tom Pittman, Dan Barnes.

Tries v Pirates

The Reds made the best of atrocious conditions to gain a hard-fought win and move above their visitors into second place in the Championship table. Force eight northerly winds and squally showers swept across Stade Santander International, with a biting windchill that left the temperature feeling barely into positive numbers. Such conditions threatened to make the game a lottery, but home supporters were delighted to see their side’s efforts enabling them to stay in control rather than relying on good fortune. Both sides were able to put pressure on their opponents during the first half and draw penalties, the visitors conceding eight penalties in the first half to their hosts’ six. But it was the Reds who dominated territorially while Pirates did not make a single incursion beyond the 22-metre line at the pavilion end of the ground. The Reds looked to get ahead through use of attacking lineouts and their powerful rolling maul, but while Eoghan Clarke linked well with his jumpers to ensure set-piece possession, Pirates’ defence of the maul was highly effective. Not only was the maul halted on at least five occasions, but in most cases the Reds were unable to recycle the ball and therefore conceded possession. Pirates were able to clear their lines for the most part but when scrum-half Tom Kessell fired a clearance kick straight out of play to give the Reds a 22-metre lineout late in the half, the pressure was cranked up further. A kickable penalty was declined in order to kick again for the corner and this time the maul did gain momentum. As the maul rumbled towards the try-line and almost the entire Reds’ team piled in, the maul was sacked, leading to a penalty try. The officials also conferred and, after some apparent uncertainty resulting from the Pirates’ predominantly white numbers on their white shirts, selected Danny Cutmore as the culprit and sent him to the sin-bin as the remaining 29 players left the arena to warm up in the dressing rooms. The visitors survived Cutmore’s absence without further concession when the game resumed, and enjoyed one of their best spells of territory which almost led to a try for Tommy Wyatt only for the final pass to be ruled forward. Having soaked up some pressure, the Reds cleared their lines and started to raise their game at the other end via a series of close range scrums which culminated in number eight Wesley White picking up and charging over from close range. The home side were able to control the game thanks to the commitment of their forwards and the astute kicking game adopted by half-backs James Mitchell and Sam Leeming. Another burst by White almost led to his side’s third try, but when he was tackled just short a cynical attempt to slow down quick ball by Pirates led to a penalty in front of the posts – stroked over by Leeming – and a yellow card for replacement Shae Tucker. Pirates did not give up and after a great run by Lewis Pearson through the middle, the ball was worked quickly right for Robin Wedlake to score in the corner, with Jersey’s Brendan Owen earning a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on in the build-up. Director of Rugby Harvey Biljon praised the efforts of his entire squad, coaching staff and medical team. “We were building pressure and to get the score just before the break was huge,” he said. “We were able to capitalise on the situation early in the second period and I thought we showed great composure against a team who we knew wouldn’t give up.” Pirates Co-coach Alan Paver had no qualms about the result. “There were up to a dozen key moments when Jersey were on top and I think that made them worthy winners,” he said. “I was pleased with how we finished and the energy our replacements brought, but the final scoreline reflected the game.” JERSEY REDS: Owen (YC 71); Simmons, Roberts (Holgate 65), Barnes, Brown; Leeming, Mitchell; Flynn (Godfrey 68), Clarke, Longwell (Yendle 65), O’Connor, Cook (Thompson 73), Argyle (Humfrey 60), Wynne (c), White. Unused: Doolan, Elliott, Pittman CORNISH PIRATES: Penny (Dawson 75); Wedlake, Parata (Tucker 57, YC 64), Elderkin, Wyatt; Robson, Kessell; Andrew (Walker 51), Channon (Blackmore 65), Schickerling (Rodman 65), Caulfield (Pearson 65), Cutmore (YC 40), Bolwell, Kiri Kiri, Duncan (c) (Montgomery 65). Unused: Bazalgette. REFEREE: Neil Chivers. Assistants: Dean Richards, Simon Adams Half Time: 7-0 Attendance: 1,250 Scorers Jersey Reds Tries: Penalty try 40, White 54 Penalty: Leeming 64 Cornish Pirates Try: Wedlake 71

Harvey Biljon post match reaction to win v Pirates

The Reds made the best of atrocious conditions to gain a hard-fought win and move above their visitors into second place in the Championship table. Force eight northerly winds and squally showers swept across Stade Santander International, with a biting windchill that left the temperature feeling barely into positive numbers. Such conditions threatened to make the game a lottery, but home supporters were delighted to see their side’s efforts enabling them to stay in control rather than relying on good fortune. Both sides were able to put pressure on their opponents during the first half and draw penalties, the visitors conceding eight penalties in the first half to their hosts’ six. But it was the Reds who dominated territorially while Pirates did not make a single incursion beyond the 22-metre line at the pavilion end of the ground. The Reds looked to get ahead through use of attacking lineouts and their powerful rolling maul, but while Eoghan Clarke linked well with his jumpers to ensure set-piece possession, Pirates’ defence of the maul was highly effective. Not only was the maul halted on at least five occasions, but in most cases the Reds were unable to recycle the ball and therefore conceded possession. Pirates were able to clear their lines for the most part but when scrum-half Tom Kessell fired a clearance kick straight out of play to give the Reds a 22-metre lineout late in the half, the pressure was cranked up further. A kickable penalty was declined in order to kick again for the corner and this time the maul did gain momentum. As the maul rumbled towards the try-line and almost the entire Reds’ team piled in, the maul was sacked, leading to a penalty try. The officials also conferred and, after some apparent uncertainty resulting from the Pirates’ predominantly white numbers on their white shirts, selected Danny Cutmore as the culprit and sent him to the sin-bin as the remaining 29 players left the arena to warm up in the dressing rooms. The visitors survived Cutmore’s absence without further concession when the game resumed, and enjoyed one of their best spells of territory which almost led to a try for Tommy Wyatt only for the final pass to be ruled forward. Having soaked up some pressure, the Reds cleared their lines and started to raise their game at the other end via a series of close range scrums which culminated in number eight Wesley White picking up and charging over from close range. The home side were able to control the game thanks to the commitment of their forwards and the astute kicking game adopted by half-backs James Mitchell and Sam Leeming. Another burst by White almost led to his side’s third try, but when he was tackled just short a cynical attempt to slow down quick ball by Pirates led to a penalty in front of the posts – stroked over by Leeming – and a yellow card for replacement Shae Tucker. Pirates did not give up and after a great run by Lewis Pearson through the middle, the ball was worked quickly right for Robin Wedlake to score in the corner, with Jersey’s Brendan Owen earning a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on in the build-up. Director of Rugby Harvey Biljon praised the efforts of his entire squad, coaching staff and medical team. “We were building pressure and to get the score just before the break was huge,” he said. “We were able to capitalise on the situation early in the second period and I thought we showed great composure against a team who we knew wouldn’t give up.” Pirates Co-coach Alan Paver had no qualms about the result. “There were up to a dozen key moments when Jersey were on top and I think that made them worthy winners,” he said. “I was pleased with how we finished and the energy our replacements brought, but the final scoreline reflected the game.” JERSEY REDS: Owen (YC 71); Simmons, Roberts (Holgate 65), Barnes, Brown; Leeming, Mitchell; Flynn (Godfrey 68), Clarke, Longwell (Yendle 65), O’Connor, Cook (Thompson 73), Argyle (Humfrey 60), Wynne (c), White. Unused: Doolan, Elliott, Pittman CORNISH PIRATES: Penny (Dawson 75); Wedlake, Parata (Tucker 57, YC 64), Elderkin, Wyatt; Robson, Kessell; Andrew (Walker 51), Channon (Blackmore 65), Schickerling (Rodman 65), Caulfield (Pearson 65), Cutmore (YC 40), Bolwell, Kiri Kiri, Duncan (c) (Montgomery 65). Unused: Bazalgette. REFEREE: Neil Chivers. Assistants: Dean Richards, Simon Adams Half Time: 7-0 Attendance: 1,250 Scorers Jersey Reds Tries: Penalty try 40, White 54 Penalty: Leeming 64 Cornish Pirates Try: Wedlake 71

Jersey Reds tries v Ealing Trailfinders

Ealing Trailfinders 35 Jersey Reds 29 Jersey Reds stood toe-to-toe with a powerful Ealing side and claimed a deserved brace of bonus points thanks to a late try. The visitors, who made the trip to west London as a day-trip, expected a tough afternoon against the Championship-leading hosts, who are favourites for promotion and had not lost a league match to any of their current Championship rivals since the defeat to Cornish Pirates in December 2016. After fly-half Sam Leeming gave the Reds an early lead, his opposite number Steve Shingler crossed for the opening try and added a conversion. The visitors were looking dangerous in attack and a run from Ryan Olowofela could have led to a try for fellow winger Will Brown, but the pass could not be completed. Sadly Olowofela was injured and had to withdraw from the fray, with Harry Simmons coming on. Showing an ability to trouble the home side and force penalty concessions, the Reds worked their way into scoring positions and claimed two tries in four minutes, firstly when Lewis Wynne darted over and then with a powerful close-range burst by Steve Longwell. It looked as if a useful eight-point lead might be maintained until the break, but in fact the Trailfinders struck late on – Shingler kicked through and when Brendan Owen couldn’t deal with the bouncing ball Luke Daniels was in position to claim a try. With some assistance from the wind after the game resumed, Ealing took the lead when Shaun Malton steered a maul over the line, but the Reds soon responded in kind – this time it was a penalty try and Malton was dispatched to the sin-bin, making it 21-22 with 25 minutes to play. The Reds might have stretched their lead during a phase of attack, but an interception saw Simon Uzokwe race 50 metres for a try that signaled a real change of momentum. The visitors, who had emptied their bench prior to the hour mark, were battling to stay in the game and lost replacement Alex Humfrey to the sin-bin after a series of penalties brought a warning from ‘Sir’ about persistent offence. Soon afterwards scrum-half Craig Hampson worked his way over and a 13-point lead for the hosts was the biggest gap between the sides all afternoon. To their credit the Reds stayed in the contest and soon after Humfrey’s return they got into good field position and Eoghan Clarke finished off a rolling maul. This fourth try earned a bonus point, and a well-struck conversion from Tom Pittman secured another as it narrowed the deficit to six points. This weekend’s results leave the Reds in third place, six points behind Ealing and just three behind Cornish Pirates, who came from behind to beat Bedford 39-24 at the Mennaye. This sets up a tasty encounter at Stade Santander International next Saturday (2.15 k-o) when the Reds will host the Pirates. EALING TRAILFINDERS: Johnston; Walker, Bodilly, Bird-Tulloch, Daniels; Shingler, Hampson; Gibbons (Smith 70), Malton (YC 54, Campher 71), Thiede, De Wee, Cannon (Linsell 70), Northcote-Green, Uzokwe (Al-Jiboori 74), Smid (c). Unused: Whyte, Massyn, Burns, Willis JERSEY REDS: Owen, Olowofela (Simmons 16), Roberts, Barnes, Brown; Leeming (Pittman 47), Elliott (Mitchell 59); Godfrey (Flynn h-t), Harris (Clarke 53),Longwell (Yendle 59), O’Connor, Cook, Argyle (Humfrey 47, YC 67), Wynne (c) White (Thompson 55). REFEREE: Andrew Jackson Assistants: Simon Park, Mike Woods Half Time: 14-15 Attendance: 947 Scorers Ealing Trailfinders Tries: Shingler 11, Daniels 36, Malton 46, Uzokwe 58, Hampson 70 Conversions: Shingler 11, 36, 46, 58, 70 Jersey Reds Tries: Wynne 17, Longwell 21, Penalty Try 53, Clarke 78 Conversions: Leeming 17, Pittman 78 Penalty: Leeming 7

DOR Harvey Biljon's reaction to victory over Bedford Blues

DOR Harvey Biljon on win at London Scottish

We hear from Jersey Reds Director of Rugby Harvey Biljon about the winning start his side made to the 2021/22 RFU Championship

London Scottish v Jersey Reds tries

London Scottish v Jersey Reds – RFU Championship, Round 1/20, Athletic Ground, Richmond, Saturday September 18th 2021, k-o 2.15pm London Scottish: Leo Fielding; Noah Ferdinand, Hayden Hyde, Dave Halaifonua, Rory Hughes; Laurence May, Dan Nutton (YC 34); Curtis Reynolds, Nick Selway, Joe Rees, James Tyas, Edoardo Balocco, Brian Tuilagi (capt) (YC 75), Jack Ingall, Will Trenholm. ‘Finishers’: Ben Atkins, Maurice Nwakor, Alex Gibson, George Hammond, Ehize Ehizode, Cameron King, Ed Hoadley, Javiah Pohe. Jersey Reds: Scott Van Breda; Ryan Olowofela, Jordan Holgate, Dan Barnes, Will Brown; Brendan Owen, James Elliott; James Flynn, Eoghan Clarke, Ciaran Parker, Sean O’Connor, Macauley Cook, Max Argyle, Lewis Wynne (capt), Guy Thompson. Replacements: Jack Macfarlane, Roy Godfrey, Steven Longwell, Zak Farrance, Alex Humfrey, Wesley White, James Mitchell, Jack Roberts. REFEREE: Adam Leal Half Time: 7-18 Attendance: TBC Scorers London Scottish Try: Nutton 2 Conversion: May 2 Jersey Reds Tries: Thompson 27, 40, 59, Van Breda 52, Clarke 64, Farrance 69, Barnes 77 Conversions: Van Breda 27, Mitchell 52, 69 Penalties: Van Breda 5, 15 The Reds stormed back from the concession of an early try to claim a convincing win in their opening Championship match of 2021/22. London Scottish scrum-half Dan Nutton crossed within two minutes after good support play by Hayden Hyde, with the conversion by Laurence May making it 7-0. The visitors claimed their opening points when Scott Van Breda landed a penalty after five minutes, and on the 15-minute mark the full-back landed another three-pointer. The Red pack gradually began to assert themselves and claimed two tries in the latter stages of the half. Number eight Guy Thompson got both, the first from a rolling maul with the extra points landed by ‘SVB’ and the second from a push-over scrum with the conversion missed right on half-time. The Exiles finished the half with 14 men after Nutton received a yellow card. Both sides took a while to get into their stride when the contest resumed, but the Reds claimed their third try in the 52nd minute with the ball fed wide after a maul and Van Breda burst through (7-23). The visitors began to turn the screw and arguably show superior levels of fitness, in spite of a number of injuries. Thompson completed a hat-trick and then fellow forwards Eoghan Clarke and Zak Farrance got in on the act with their side’s fifth and sixth tries. The Exiles’ attempts to get more points on the board in the closing stages were hampered when skipper Brian Tuilagi was yellow-carded, and soon afterwards Dan Barnes crossed for a seventh try. Following the trip to London, the Reds will prepare for their home opener at Stade Santander with Bedford Blue the visitors for a match kicking off at 2.30pm on Saturday September 25th.

Tom Williams try v Pirates

Tom Williams signs off his Jersey Reds career with a great try to open the scoring in a tense 32-31 win against the Cornish Pirates