Jersey RFC Women 43
Tries: Ruellan; Bisson-Mercury; Turpin (2); De La Cloche; Martins; CornwallConv: Magner (4)
Beckenham Ladies II 5
Tries: Graves
JEP player of the match: Seren Coombs
“A THREE-year dream come true.”
That was the sentiment shared by head coach Simon Le Moignan as the Jersey RFC Women’s team lifted the Women’s NC 2 South East (South) trophy onSaturday.
The Islanders might have already secured the crown during an off-week, but you would be hard-pressed to know, with the atmosphere created in St Peter.
A fantastic display saw captain Katie de la Cloche and her side demolish visitors Beckenham Ladies II in front of over 700 people at CoinShares Park.
No fewer than seven Jersey names graced the scoresheet in a complete performance that epitomised the whole squad effort throughout the campaign.
It marked win number 12 from 13 played, with one remaining away trip to Sutton & Epsom Ladies II this weekend.
An ardent Le Moignan said: “This celebration, this feeling, it’s been a long time coming.
“We have built year on year to reach this stage and we have now reached this pinnacle.
“I couldn’t be more proud of this group. Looking at the number of people we had down to support us fills me with joy, the girls deserve it.”
De la Cloche has been an everpresent during the season, after taking over duties from former captain Lauren Lowe, after the back relocated to Australia.
She added: “It feels absolutely amazing.
“To end our last home game with such a good performance and to celebrate the league in front of our home fans is just incredible.
“It means the world to us to have such support. We have worked so hard, not just this year but for several years now and to bring home the league title, alongside the men’s league victory as well, is very special.”
De La Cloche was on the scoresheet herself, grabbing a try just after the restart to open up a wide gap that was never relinquished.
Alongside the inspirational skipper on the scoresheet was Georgina Ruellan, Kerry Bisson-Mercury, a double from Laura Turpin, Saskia Martins and Charlie Cornwall.
Vice-captain Magner was impressive off the tee, knocking through four conversions in blustery conditions.
However, player of the match went, not to a try scorer, but to undoubtedly the brightest spark on the pitch – the remarkable 17-year-old, Seren Coombs.
The youngster, who has recently trialled for the Wales U18 squad, regularly broke through the Beckenham defensive line and demonstrated an elite level of speed, ball carrying and fitness throughout the full 80 minutes.
“What a player she is, honestly,” Le Moignan added. “To show the level of ability she has on the biggest stage in front of a big crowd was amazing to watch. She’s got the whole world at her feet.
“We have a great mix of youth and experience and this is just the start for this team.
“I fully believe we have the level to be highly competitive in the league above next season and I cannot wait for that challenge.”
Turpin, who also put in a magnificent individual display, said: “It’s such a mix of joy and relief to be honest.
“The last few games of the season were really tough, so to get through those and get to win and lift the trophy at home is so surreal.
“Fair play to Beckenham, they played such a high level and made it really hard for us, especially in the first 20 minutes.
“They forced us to step into another gear and when we eventually clicked we just felt unstoppable.
“The bond of this team throughout this whole campaign has been amazing, every member of this squad really does work for each other and I think that shows on the pitch.
“We have so much to thank our coaching staff for and all the help from the rugby club.
“Our training has been outstanding this season, using the Strive facilities as well, we have all absolutely loved it and it’s so great we can repay all their efforts with this trophy.
“Given what happened to the Reds last year, we were all definitely driven from that to perform and take our roles as Island representatives seriously.
“Now Jersey has both men’s and women’s league champions – what a place for the club to be in.”
De La Cloche, who led the team for the second half of the campaign upon Lowe’s departure, took to the role like a duck to water and praised her teammates for making that transition so seamless.
“They’re just the most incredible bunch of ladies,” she said.
“Playing with them is so much fun, it’s almost addictive.
“We want to show women in Jersey that rugby is a fun and inclusive sport that is a viable option for them.
“That impact we’re having goes beyond winning league titles, that’s what I’m most proud of about this group. We’re inspiring women and that, in turn, inspires us.”
Jersey RFC Women’s Squad: [1-8] Amber Hopwood, Hannah Le Moignan, Lucy Hart, Abbie Syvret, Emilie Langlands, Seren Coombs, Katie de la Cloche (c), Kerry Bisson-Mercury [9-15] Ashling Magner (vc), Laura Turpin, Lisa Saout, Emily Hart, Taye Boakye-Yiadom, Georgina Ruellan, Tina Davies
Replacements: Kirsten Slatter, Becka Hunter, Franky Vautier, Helen Papworth, Charlie Cornwall, Saskia Martins, Claudia McGuigan
