In brief: Jersey Bulls return to Springfield Stadium for a high-stakes home fixture, while Jersey RFC hosts a men’s and women’s double header against Dorking at CoinShares Park. It is shaping up to be one of the busiest weekends in local sport this season.
Bulls Chasing History at Springfield
The Jersey Bulls are back on home turf at Springfield Stadium, and the stakes could hardly be higher. Bailiwick Express reports that a victory this weekend would extend the Bulls’ league unbeaten run to 30 matches, a remarkable milestone for the club.
Standing in their way are visitors who sit third in the table and who have made the trip to Jersey twice before, in 2022 and 2023, with the Bulls still waiting for their first win against this particular opposition. Old scores, then, very much unsettled.
The Bulls arrive into the match off the back of a dramatic 3-3 draw midweek, a result that came despite the team picking up their sixth red card of the season. James Sunley’s stunning strike was among the highlights of that game. Six red cards in a season is the sort of statistic that keeps a manager awake at night, but the unbeaten run suggests the squad has the character to absorb the chaos.
Jersey RFC Double Header: Reasons for Optimism
Over at CoinShares Park, Jersey RFC’s men’s and women’s sides both face Dorking in what Bailiwick Express describes as a chance to respond after a difficult weekend.
For the men’s side, the return of captain Evan Whitson is the headline news. Whitson has been named on the bench after a frustrating spell on the sidelines watching the club’s injury crisis unfold. His presence alone will lift the dressing room. Joining him in the mix is tighthead prop Talite Vaioleti, on loan from Darlington Mowden Park, as Jersey look to get back to winning ways. Dorking arrive in decent form, sitting fifth with four wins from six, so this is no gimme.
The women’s team are equally motivated, keen to put last week’s defeat at Medway firmly behind them. Maya Abraham-Steele is set for an exciting first start at number eight, and the return of Taye Boakye-Yiadom provides a further boost. New faces stepping up, experienced players returning: the ingredients for a strong response are there.
A Full Weekend of Local Sport
The action does not stop with football and rugby. Bailiwick Express reports that Royals RFC are on the road against Worthing III, while the Evelyn Partners Jets travel to face New Cambell in what is billed as a clash between fourth and fifth. With Rosie Tonner absent, Jodie Blampied steps up to take the captaincy for the weekend.
There is also a packed programme of local football and hockey, including the Wheway Memorial Trophy and the Sylvia Spinola Memorial Cup, alongside league fixtures across the island. Sunday brings junior football, walking football, and an Under-18s fixture between St Paul’s and Jersey Wanderers. Natacha Searson is also set to feature in Saturday’s coverage.
For the full fixture list, Bailiwick Express points readers to the JEP Sport Diary.
Source: Bailiwick Express
