This weekend sees Jersey return to home league action at St Peter. Saturday's match against Cornish Pirates is eagerly-awaited - the first Greene King IPA Championship match on our home turf since Moseley were here in late April.
Two of the furthest-flung outposts of Championship rugby, Jersey and the Pirates have developed a real affinity and rivalry in the past three seasons.
The rivalry stems in part from the presence of a sizeable contingent of former Pirates among Jersey's ranks last season. This number is lower now, but still includes players Joe Buckle and Aaron Penberthy and of course Head Coach Harvey Biljon, who spent four years coaching in Penzance..
The last two league meetings at St Peter have been among the most memorable in recent years, both featuring late scores for the home side to seal victory by the same narrow margin of two points. In November 2013 it was a late penalty from Niall O'Connor which sealed a 27-25 victory, while five months ago it was the Buckle/Penberthy old boys' combination who delivered the final try and conversion in a 28-26 success.
Supporters are invited to book in for a pre-match lunch in the marquee this Saturday - places cost £22 and include a hot carvery with choice of roast meats, followed by the option of cheese-and-biscuits or dessert. Space is limited, please book with Sean Dunne by lunchtime on Thursday.
The home side will be looking to shrug off the disappointing final stages of Sunday's trip to Leeds, and to maintain the impressive home form shown in the second half of 2014/15 when six of the last seven home games were victories. A key factor behind this was the passionate home support - we will be looking for more of the same this weekend.
New match-day ticket prices are effective this season. Admission for adult members is £12, and for non-members £18, while students in full-time education aged 18 and above can get tickets for £6. Admission for under 18s remains free-of-charge. Advance tickets are available from the following outlets:
