The first day of spring will see Jersey RFC entertain Camberley at CoinShares Park in the 19th round of league action in Regional 1 South Central.
After narrowing the gap over league leaders London Welsh thanks to the thrilling win at Old Deer Park two weeks ago, the home side know that the pursuit of the Exiles – now five points clear – requires the backing up of the most recent result with a victory on home turf.
Five players come into the Jersey starting XV following the most recent outing. Most of the changes are in the backs, where Scott Van Breda relocates to centre, where he partners Nathan Rogers, a replacement last time out. This makes room for the return of Aaron Penberthy at fly-half, while scrum-half Liam Rhodes and wing Eryk Swiech are also called up.
In the forwards, lock Cam Keys is the only ‘new’ face after recovering from illness, which means Tom Tilstone switches to the back row in place of Jerry Sexton. Max Ayling returns to the squad and will feature from the bench alongside Morgan Brady and Jacques De La Bat.
Camberley, who are making their first visit to the Island for a league match, have been in the upper echelons of the league table for most of the season. Although they began their 2024/25 campaign with consecutive defeats – both by three points to Wimbledon and London Welsh – they then won six straight ahead of the JRFC visit to Watchetts Recreation Ground in mid-November.
The Island side were 21-0 ahead early in the game, but the hosts fought back to 21-19 before a strong finish took the final score to 38-22 in visitors’ favour. Mark Boarer claimed two tries, with Sexton and Jack Macfarlane also crossing. A penalty try and 11 points from the boot of Van Breda completed the scoring.
There are just five weeks to go until the end of the league season for both JRFC men’s and women’s sides. Two double-headers at CoinShares Park remain on the horizon: Saturday March 22nd and Saturday April 5th, and there’s also the small matter of the Siam Cup on Saturday May 3rd.
JRFC (15-9, 1-8): Mark Boarer; Eryk Swiech, Nathan Rogers, Scott Van Breda, Lance Armstrong; Aaron Penberthy, Liam Rhodes; Huw Owen, Jack Macfarlane, Tom Wilson, Euan Spencer, Cameron Keys, Tom Tilstone, Evan Whitson (capt), George Willmott. Replacements: Morgan Brady, Max Ayling, Jacques De La Bat.
After narrowing the gap over league leaders London Welsh thanks to the thrilling win at Old Deer Park two weeks ago, the home side know that the pursuit of the Exiles – now five points clear – requires the backing up of the most recent result with a victory on home turf.
Five players come into the Jersey starting XV following the most recent outing. Most of the changes are in the backs, where Scott Van Breda relocates to centre, where he partners Nathan Rogers, a replacement last time out. This makes room for the return of Aaron Penberthy at fly-half, while scrum-half Liam Rhodes and wing Eryk Swiech are also called up.
In the forwards, lock Cam Keys is the only ‘new’ face after recovering from illness, which means Tom Tilstone switches to the back row in place of Jerry Sexton. Max Ayling returns to the squad and will feature from the bench alongside Morgan Brady and Jacques De La Bat.
Camberley, who are making their first visit to the Island for a league match, have been in the upper echelons of the league table for most of the season. Although they began their 2024/25 campaign with consecutive defeats – both by three points to Wimbledon and London Welsh – they then won six straight ahead of the JRFC visit to Watchetts Recreation Ground in mid-November.
The Island side were 21-0 ahead early in the game, but the hosts fought back to 21-19 before a strong finish took the final score to 38-22 in visitors’ favour. Mark Boarer claimed two tries, with Sexton and Jack Macfarlane also crossing. A penalty try and 11 points from the boot of Van Breda completed the scoring.
There are just five weeks to go until the end of the league season for both JRFC men’s and women’s sides. Two double-headers at CoinShares Park remain on the horizon: Saturday March 22nd and Saturday April 5th, and there’s also the small matter of the Siam Cup on Saturday May 3rd.
JRFC (15-9, 1-8): Mark Boarer; Eryk Swiech, Nathan Rogers, Scott Van Breda, Lance Armstrong; Aaron Penberthy, Liam Rhodes; Huw Owen, Jack Macfarlane, Tom Wilson, Euan Spencer, Cameron Keys, Tom Tilstone, Evan Whitson (capt), George Willmott. Replacements: Morgan Brady, Max Ayling, Jacques De La Bat.
