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ROYALS RFC Jersey travel to fifth-placed Ditchling RFC tomorrow in the Counties 2 Sussex division, with kick-off at 12:30pm, looking to build on recent progress after a challenging start to the season. The Royals lost their opening three matches, but a narrow 36-34 defeat to Eastbourne last time out demonstrated the team’s potential. Tomorrow’s clash offers a chance to translate strong training performances into points on the board. Jersey fans are in for a packed afternoon, with the Royals’ clash against Ditchling just a stone’s throw (six-minute drive) away from the Bulls’ meeting with Hassocks. Vice-captain Pearse Moloney acknowledged the step up in competition in the new league but stressed that the team are ready for the challenge. “It’s not the best start for the season, but we know from what we do in training that we’re definitely capable of this level,” Moloney said. “It’s just about being clinical and putting those things into the match day. The last game against Eastbourne was a frustrating loss; there was only a couple of points in it right at the end. We did well for most of the game — it’s about being smart and sticking to our game plan.” Moloney also highlighted the team’s experience and preparation when facing Ditchling, saying: “They were in our league a couple of years ago, so we know their ability. We know what we have to do if we want to try and beat them on Saturday.” Despite some injuries and a limited bench, Moloney remains confident in the starting lineup, stating: “Even though we’re a little light on subs, we’ve been getting very good numbers at training, and the starting team definitely has the fitness to play the full game. It’s just about putting in a big shift on Saturday.” Ditchling themselves have had a well-balanced start to the season, with one win, one draw, and one loss. Royals’ familiarity with their opponents could be crucial in tomorrow’s game. “We’ve played them many times before and we know we can beat them, but we’ll need to be at the top of our game,” Moloney continued. With the Royals eager to claim their first league win, tomorrow’s encounter promises a stern test of character and resilience. A strong performance could signal a turning point in their campaign as they look to climb the Counties 2 Sussex table and build momentum for the fixtures ahead. Royals RFC Jersey Squad: Sam Dillon, Jack Lowe, Cam Spencer, Harvey Evans, Conor Bisson-Mercury, Tristan Burns (C), JJ Le Feuvre, Will Michel, Harry Walton, Dan Baker, Corne Visage, Hugo Reid, Oli Walker, Pearse Moloney (VC), George Burke, Brodie Sutton
