DESPITE playing away against the only unbeaten team in Powergen London II South on Saturday, Jersey RFC’s coach, Dai Burton, believes that they can repeat their performance of two years ago and win; even though Guildford are aiming to remain top and win automatic promotion.

We won quite convincingly when we beat them at home two seasons ago, when they topped our division then and were promoted to London II South,’ he said.

‘And the fact that they’ve won four or five games by only two or three points means that they are not dominating in any particular area.

‘But they are an ambitious club, with a good academy and a big coaching team.

They’ve also recruited well this year and have an excellent scrum-half, in their captain, who likes the ball to be played wide.

‘What we have to do is to play more of a power game down the middle.

‘Our forwards have been on top of a game for long periods this season without finishing; by not turning that pressure into points.

That’s something the players have to rectify.’ With no game last weekend, Jersey’s training this week has been ‘very good’, with the 2nds also training with the 1st XV ahead of a pressure game of their own, on Sunday, in the Doug Tranter Cup semi-final, when they meet Beeches at St Peter with a 2 o’clock kick-off.

‘We’ve picked a strong team, but Beeches are a good side,’ Burton explained, ‘and we’ve also got something of an injury crisis at stand-off, after Jonny Swift fractured his cheekbone playing against Lewes two weeks ago.

Mark Le Mottée is also out for another week after he suffered concussion playing in the same game.

‘I think it will be close; and could be a very good game to watch.’