Post by Jamie Crawford on Oct 4, 2021 11:31:47 GMT
Jersey Reds preview
sponsored by Twenty Four IT Services (www.twentyfourit.co.uk)
Round 4, Doncaster Knights v Jersey Reds @ Castle Park on Sat 9th October, KO 2.30pm
Fully professional, unbeaten, top-placed Jersey Reds attempt to halt Doncaster Knights ‘fortress Castle Park’ reputation.
Following a second away defeat last Friday under the lights at Goldington Road against Bedford Blues, the Knights welcome the Reds from Jersey in a game full of anticipation. Jersey are unbeaten but the Knights want their Castle Park home to become a fortress that away teams can’t penetrate. After just two Rounds, before their BYE weekend, fully professional Jersey Reds were top of the table (and they still are). This was after scoring a bonus point for scoring four tries or more in both wins. They comfortably had the highest points scored/conceded difference (still have). The Reds scored seven tries in their opening game and six more against Bedford Blues, 13 tries over two games is impressive. It was in fact over 38% more than the second-placed teams, which included the Knights. Almost 40% of tries scored were scored by Jersey Forwards, so expect a strong pack with many push-over tries from close range. The Reds are the only team in the Championship to have not been beaten, granted they have played a game less than eight teams after their BYE weekend, despite this they have still scored more points and more try bonus points than any other team.
Jersey Reds have made six new signings as they begin preparations for the 2021/22 campaign. Scrum-halves James Mitchell, Harry Simmons and Will Lane have been added to the 1st XV squad, along with centre Jordan Holgate and wingers Ryan Olowofela and Will Brown. Two of the six new signings gave an early indication that they are of value by scoring in the second game of the season.
Mitchell is a former England under 20 international and made the move from Doncaster over the Summer.
Jersey Reds have had two weeks to focus on playing the Knights because their BYE week was last week. This came after their ITV-proclaimed 40-28 “trouncing” of Bedford Blues at Stade Santander International in Jersey on Saturday 25 September. They scored six tries in the process; tries were scored by Centre Dan Barnes, Winger Ryan Olowofela, Prop James Flynn, Hooker Eoghan Clarke, Sub/Finisher Lock Zak Farrance and a penalty try was awarded. According to the Bedford Blues website, Scrum-Half James Mitchell was apparently excellent throughout; he converted three tries, Brendan Owen converted one try plus a penalty try was scored.
It is the only game this weekend where two fully-professional sides play each other, so both will be match fit and eager to win.
Expect many tries to be scored as each fully-professional team attempts to overcome the other. As a reminder, Jersey had scored the most tries in the Championship, with the Knights joint second.
On positive a side issue Jersey Reds became the first team competing in English rugby to play a match in front of fans this year. The Government of Jersey agreed to let up to 50% of supporters at the Stade Santander on 24th April, last season when the Reds played Nottingham in the Greene King IPA Championship. They allowed 1000 supporters to attend, comfortably below 50% capacity.
Meanwhile elsewhere in the championship:
Friday 8th October
Hartpury University v Coventry
Saturday 9th October
EalingTrailfinders v Nottingham
Richmond v London Scottish
Ampthill v Bedford Blues
Cornish Pirates BYE
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
sponsored by Twenty Four IT Services (www.twentyfourit.co.uk)
Round 4, Doncaster Knights v Jersey Reds @ Castle Park on Sat 9th October, KO 2.30pm
Fully professional, unbeaten, top-placed Jersey Reds attempt to halt Doncaster Knights ‘fortress Castle Park’ reputation.
Following a second away defeat last Friday under the lights at Goldington Road against Bedford Blues, the Knights welcome the Reds from Jersey in a game full of anticipation. Jersey are unbeaten but the Knights want their Castle Park home to become a fortress that away teams can’t penetrate. After just two Rounds, before their BYE weekend, fully professional Jersey Reds were top of the table (and they still are). This was after scoring a bonus point for scoring four tries or more in both wins. They comfortably had the highest points scored/conceded difference (still have). The Reds scored seven tries in their opening game and six more against Bedford Blues, 13 tries over two games is impressive. It was in fact over 38% more than the second-placed teams, which included the Knights. Almost 40% of tries scored were scored by Jersey Forwards, so expect a strong pack with many push-over tries from close range. The Reds are the only team in the Championship to have not been beaten, granted they have played a game less than eight teams after their BYE weekend, despite this they have still scored more points and more try bonus points than any other team.
Jersey Reds have made six new signings as they begin preparations for the 2021/22 campaign. Scrum-halves James Mitchell, Harry Simmons and Will Lane have been added to the 1st XV squad, along with centre Jordan Holgate and wingers Ryan Olowofela and Will Brown. Two of the six new signings gave an early indication that they are of value by scoring in the second game of the season.
Mitchell is a former England under 20 international and made the move from Doncaster over the Summer.
Jersey Reds have had two weeks to focus on playing the Knights because their BYE week was last week. This came after their ITV-proclaimed 40-28 “trouncing” of Bedford Blues at Stade Santander International in Jersey on Saturday 25 September. They scored six tries in the process; tries were scored by Centre Dan Barnes, Winger Ryan Olowofela, Prop James Flynn, Hooker Eoghan Clarke, Sub/Finisher Lock Zak Farrance and a penalty try was awarded. According to the Bedford Blues website, Scrum-Half James Mitchell was apparently excellent throughout; he converted three tries, Brendan Owen converted one try plus a penalty try was scored.
It is the only game this weekend where two fully-professional sides play each other, so both will be match fit and eager to win.
Expect many tries to be scored as each fully-professional team attempts to overcome the other. As a reminder, Jersey had scored the most tries in the Championship, with the Knights joint second.
On positive a side issue Jersey Reds became the first team competing in English rugby to play a match in front of fans this year. The Government of Jersey agreed to let up to 50% of supporters at the Stade Santander on 24th April, last season when the Reds played Nottingham in the Greene King IPA Championship. They allowed 1000 supporters to attend, comfortably below 50% capacity.
Meanwhile elsewhere in the championship:
Friday 8th October
Hartpury University v Coventry
Saturday 9th October
EalingTrailfinders v Nottingham
Richmond v London Scottish
Ampthill v Bedford Blues
Cornish Pirates BYE
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
