Stiffy, Stimmo, and a litre of milk - Jersey prepare
piping hot welcome for Ayr
And now for something slightly different, to mis-quote the Monty
Python continuity man.
After four weeks of the new Championship season, it's time for a
two-week break for the British & Irish Cup.
After making their B&I debut 12 months ago by hosting the
Welsh Principality Premiership Champions, Pontypridd, Jersey are
now awaiting the Champion Club of Scotland, Ayr.
The club from the west coast of Scotland, will make the longest
journey by any team for a competitive match at St Peter, some 600
miles each way (the longest in the history of the B&I?!), in
time for the 3pm kick-off on Saturday.
Ayr won three trophies last season, making them Scotland's
leading club side of the moment, and there's the possibility of
some international players being drafted in - see below. Jersey's
Nick Campbell will be looking forward to the match - the giant lock
played for both Ayr and Glasgow Warriors last season before his
move south (but has missed out on selection, see below).
The visitors may be bringing, by all accounts, a rather smaller
crowd of supporters than the Ponty hordes, but can still be assured
of a warm welcome, even to the extent of pipers being on hand to
serenade all and sundry. One observer, possibly after one too many
pints of Tennent's, hailed this as the most significant display of
entente cordiale between Scotland and the Channel Islands
since Guernsey-born Budge Pountney opted to play international
rugby for the land of his grandmother.
Last season the B&I provided a chance for Jersey to regroup
after six straight league defeats, and the campaign began with a
creditable draw against Ponty - tho' it should have been a win and
a victory on the road against Leeds. This time around the Island
side has a more solid record of P2 W2, but will still be looking to
make a good start in a pool that also includes Cornish Pirates and
Ulster 'A'.
The match should offer a good chance for both sides to see how
they match up against 'foreign' opposition, with just a little less
pressure to deliver a result and league points. It's to be hoped a
decent crowd will be in attendance to see how it all plays
out.
News from the Jersey camp
The Islanders were delighted to return home from the North
Midlands with four points, a good start to what could be a
difficult week. The RFU Charge against the club and back-row player
Ben Maidment is due to be heard on Friday evening.
Director of Rugby Ben Harvey has aimed to have a business as
usual feel to the week and it will be interesting to see whether he
changes his squad this weekend. Game time is much-needed for some
squad players, although it's hardly the stage of the season where
front-line players should need rest, and Jersey will be keen to
keep up some winning momentum ahead of a trip to Ulster that may be
the toughest challenge in this season's group stage.
Fred Silcock is potentially available after a two-week
suspension; and Harvey may be looking to go above the quota of
English-qualified players (EQP) as each Championship club must
select a set number in order to receive full RFU funding. This is
based on an average of 16 EQPs in a month's worth of match-day
squads, and having had only 15 at Nottingham, the October figure
will need to be nudged down.
The Jersey squad was announce on Friday morning, as below, with
a number of changes from the trip to Nottingham and seven players
making their first competitive starts of the season. Young Luke
Stratford (above) could make his first start for the senior side of
his native Island, and home fans will be delighted to see
another Jerseyman of a different vintage next to Luke on the bench
- JB is back!
15 Jack Burroughs
14 James Copsey
13 Drew Locke
12 Tom Cooper
11 Ed Dawson
10 Aaron Penberthy
9 Jimmy Williams
1 Tom Fidler
2 David Felton
3 Nick Selway
4 Rob Anderson
5 David Markham
6 James Voss
7 Joe Buckle
8 Tom Brown (c)
16 Luke Stratford
17 Jon Brennan
18 Alex Rae
19 Ben Maidment
20 Joel Dudley
21 Niall O'Connor
22 Mark McCrea
Ayr in recent history, August 2012 to date
Ayr ended the season requiring an extension to the trophy
cabinet at Millbrae. They took the Scottish Premiership title with
room to spare and also ended the season holding the Bill McLaren
Shield, a challenge trophy awarded for performances in both cup and
league games in honour of the great man and slightly similar to the
Ranfurly Shield in New Zealand, the so-called 'Log o' Wood' which
dates back to 1902. And finally, they took the Scottish Cup in a
thriller at Murrayfield, when Cameron Taylor scored a try in the
100th minute (Johnny Wilkinson territory) to seal a 28-25 win over
Ayr.
Ayr became just the fourth club since the advent of league rugby
in Scotland to clinch the league and cup double.
This year the Champions have had a mixed start and in fact are
only fourth in the Scottish Premiership table at present, having
suffered a home defeat by Melrose and a 20-19 reverse against
Heriot's FP in their seven games this far. But they're only a
couple of points behind leaders Melrose, and showed they may be
'hitting their straps' by scoring seven tries in walloping Hawick
48-10 at their Millbrae home last weekend.
There was a change in Head Coach for Ayr this summer, with Kenny
Murray joining Pro 12 side Glasgow Warriors as Assistant Coach, and
Peter Laverie promoted within after five years at Ayr.
Ayr potentially have members of the Scotland Elite Development
Player (EDP) squad available for B&I action, according to THIS STORY on the SRU
website, with star names like Al Kellock, Chris Cusiter and Stuart
Hogg sprinkled tantalisingly. However it remains to be seen how
many of these players are required for Heineken Cup action for
Glasgow instead, so don't go getting too excited.
Another EDP, fly-half Finn Russell, could be one to watch, and
Ayr have several new signings in the pack, including Scotland Under
20 prop James Malcolm, EDP hooker Fergus Scott and lock Graham
Williamson. Look out too for French utility back Sylvain Diez,
whose interests apparently include running with the bulls in
Pamplona.
For news on the Ayr team and their thoughts on the match see HERE
History of Ayr Rugby
There's an extremely comprehensive history on the website of our
visitors, telling all about the old days, their ground and some of
the famous names they have produced. You can read it HERE - watch out for the
mention of "outstanding club stalwart, the indefatigable Jock
"Stiffy" McClure who played for the club until just short of his
sixtieth birthday but was robbed of international caps by the
Second World War."
Parish Notices
There will be a Scottish theme at St Peter, with pipers on hand
to entertain the crowds, and there's also a special offer with
season ticket holders invited to bring a friend for free. The offer
is only available on match day from Gates 1&2 at the Clubhouse
entrance. ST holders will need to show their ticket to receive a
complimentary match day ticket free of charge for their guest.
There won't be a Friday night reception in the Pavilion this
Friday, normal service will be resumed on Friday 25th October prior
to the Plymouth game.
There are new arrangements for those travelling by car to St
Peter this season. Please see the notice on this website on for
details and allow extra time for your journey.
Following the Game
Don't forget that you can keep up-to-speed with news from Jersey
v Ayr through the following channels:
• Preview on BBC Radio Jersey on Friday from 5.30pm, and live
commentary on Saturday afternoon (available online and on your
transistor-wireless device).
• Preview in Friday's JEP, more rugby in Saturday's 'Inside
Centre' pull-out, and full match coverage on Monday
* A visiting reporter will be filing match reports for both the
Glasgow Herald and The Scotsman and their respective Sunday
titles
• Scoreflashes on @jerseyrfc Twitter and the 'Rolling Maul' rugby
forum
• Match report on Channel 103 on Saturday afternoon at
5.10pm
• Reports and match action on Channel TV online and on Monday
evening at 6.15pm; and on BBC Channel Islands on Monday evening at
6.30pm
The B&I this weekend
There are four all-Championship clashes, and it will be
interesting to see whether the results conform to the league
standings after four matches. Ealing Trailfinders, yet to win a
match in four attempts and with 218 points against, might be
looking to get some confidence-building results in the Cup, but
they start with a daunting away trip to defending Champions
Leinster 'A'.
Cornish Pirates host Ulster Ravens on Friday night, although the
Pirates announced this week they are to abandon this experiment
after disappointing ticket sales.
Friday October 11
Plymouth Albion v Nottingham Rugby (KO 19.45pm)
Cornish Pirates v Ulster Ravens (KO 19.45pm)
Saturday October 12
Llanelli v Connacht Eagles (KO 1400)
Leinster A v Ealing Trailfinders (KO 14.30)
London Welsh v London Scottish (KO 14.30)
Cross Keys v Moseley (KO 15.00)
Edinburgh Academicals v Pontypridd (KO 15.00)
Jersey v Ayr (KO 15.00)
Rotherham Titans v Bedford Blues (KO 15.00)
Munster A v Stirling County (KO 17.00)
Gala v Aberavon (KO 19.00)
Sunday October 13
Bristol Rugby v Leeds Carnegie (KO 15.00)
And Finally
Two Jersey players are currently gracing cartons of milk on the
Island as part of a tie-up between Jersey Dairy, the club and local
Stockbrokers and Investment Managers, Ravenscroft.
The innovation allows everyone in Jersey to have breakfast with
Mark Foster and Latu Makaafi (above), and runs until the end of
October.
There's plenty of rugby involving local sides in Jersey this
weekend. Jersey Athletic play their third fixture in The Shield, an
away match with Old Albanians, on Saturday, when there are also JRA
clashes between LQ Lydian Lions and Guernsey (11.30am at LQ) and
Banks v Beeches (12.30pm at Grainville). On Sunday Banks Ladies
travel to Teddington, and there's a chance to see Jersey Colts test
themselves against the Hampshire County side at St Peter at 12noon.
St Jacques from Guernsey have an intriguing overseas tour this
weekend with a fixture listed against Channel Island neighbours
Herm.
A couple of hundred veteran rugby players are hoping for a
quieter weekend after the rigours of the annual Jersey Vets
tournament last weekend. Well done to the Super Frelons from France
for winning it in a tight final against Denbigh from North Wales,
and good to see former England (19 caps) and Lions (1)
international Tim Stimpson (above) strutting his stuff in a
distinctly recreational atmosphere with the visiting side from
Kent, New Ash Green. Refreshing to see someone who's played at the
top level who still enjoys the game enough to pull on his boots
after a skinful the night before and have a run out with his
mates.
Enjoy your weekend's rugby!
Tom Innes
