Reds on the winning trail at Ealing

Friday 16 September 2016

As one of only three unbeaten sides in the Greene King IPA Championship, Jersey coach Harvey Biljon knows tomorrow’s opponents, Ealing Trailfinders, will be gunning for the Reds.

Biljon’s side have made a perfect start to the season, winning their first two league matches and three pre-season friendlies, including a first ever victory over a Premiership team after they downed Worcester Warriors.

But last weekend’s titanic struggle to overcome Bedford Blues shows it will be a searching season for Biljon’s boys, who overcame a late surge from their opponents to hang onto the home win. 

“It was tough, and we expected it to be tough,” said Biljon. “Last season ended with so many clubs so close in the table. Very few points separated top from bottom which underlines just how hard it is to keep winning. 

“We have made a good start, nothing more than that. We have to begin again, at Ealing, show them what we can do and give the best account of ourselves we possibly can.”

Jersey’s last visit to the capital was an encouraging one as they put over 40 points past newly-promoted Richmond on the opening day of the season. 

But that result could end up being deceptive as Richmond, the only semi-professional side in the league, could end up being the whipping boys of Championship as London Irish also put them to the sword last weekend.  

That aside, Biljon must be delighted with his side’s start to the campaign as only themselves, London Irish and Yorkshire Carnegie have won both their games this season. 

He said: “The win over Bedford was hard-fought, as it was always going to be. They had an off night in their opening game at home to Cornish Pirates, but I never thought for one minute it would be straightforward. The players showed great heart and determination in the final minutes. They could have buckled, but they didn’t and we got two wins out of two. That’s all that counts.”

Tomorrow’s opponents Ealing Trailfinders lost their opening fixture at home to Yorkshire Carnegie 13-30, but came away from the trip to the Cornish Pirates with a highly creditable 31-31 draw. 

The fact that the Pirates beat Bedford convincingly shows that the game at Ealing will be another testing contest, as will the following Friday, as Nottingham come to St Peter for the first fixture under the new lights.  

“Every game in this league is a severe test, we know that,” said Biljon. “We have spent weeks and weeks in pre-season training getting ready for this and we have hit the ground running wth two good victories, but I’ve said to the players the season is long and hard and we have only just got out the blocks.

“We have started well, but that’s all. It’s important and it’s good, but that’s all it is.”