Coach Ben Harvey

DESPITE a nine-point cushion at the top of National League, London III, Jersey are taking nothing for granted as they take on Hertford at St Peter on Saturday.

For JRFC head coach Ben Harvey is very conscious that the visitors finished fourth behind them in last year’s table and that two weeks ago Hertford deservedly beat Norfolk’s top side, North Walsham, 14-6.

He is also expecting the weather to have a say in the eventual result. ‘Looking at the forecast there’s an 85 per cent chance it will rain,’ he said. ‘Also, there’s a chance of a gale force 4 wind blowing down the pitch so it could make for a lottery – but if that’s the case, we’ll plan accordingly.

‘However, it’s the same for every team. We’ll simply have to take on conditions as they hit us although I’m pleased that with the exception of Charlie (Clyde-Smith) and Ashley (Elphinston) I’ve no major injury problems at this point of the season.’