MYLES LANDICK’S Jersey RFC have been nothing short of a revelation since their introduction on the national stage.
Eighteen Counties 1 Hampshire outfits have tried to take them down. Eighteen times they have proved futile.
Speaking of eighteen, that was the exact number of players unavailable to Landick, as his men marched over to the mainland and trounced the Trojans 81-0.
George Willmott, Jersey’s resident Swiss Army knife, took up a new position at centre, while a quartet of youngsters in the shape of Eryk Swiech (four tries), Anushan Elanco (one try), James Kent and Sam Pinel slotted into the side seamlessly.
Will Wycherley was the latest debutant to score on his debut, while it was also Pinel’s first appearance for the senior side.
Landick said: ‘We are in an extremely fortunate position.
‘There is a strong core of regulars that we are able to sprinkle youth in around.
‘We have the [Charlie] Huberts, the [Nathan] Rogers, but also a fair few that needed a bit of game time.
‘George Thomas played the loose-head [prop] and he hadn’t been involved for a while, so it was great to give time to those who desperately needed it.
‘To have this many options is brilliant, but we must use this season wisely to ensure that these youngsters are given every opportunity to thrive in our colours.
As the rest of the London & SE Division needed a reminder of the Islanders’ pedigree, it seems that Jersey RFC are only growing in terms of strength.
Landick is fully aware of what is required of his men if they are to ascend the English rugby union system, having travelled the same path with the Jersey Reds.
He said: ‘We want to build something very special here. I feel very fortunate to have so many players who want to be involved in the set-up.
‘We have to do our best to accommodate, and what is brilliant to see if that, when given the chance, the more inexperienced guys have been great.’
The unbeaten leaders return home this weekend, for a fixture against Gosport & Fareham, who currently feel a country mile away in fifth position, 42 points back.
Jersey RFC: George Thomas, Joe Ridgway, Ewan Davies, Tom Tilstone, Will Wycherley, Evan Whitson, Jack MacFarlane, Euan Spencer, Anushan Elanco, Max Harrington, Nathan Rogers, George Willmott, Dom Mayo, Eryk Swiech, Charlie Hubert. Replacements: Jake Bates, James Kent, Sam Pinel.
