RFU should capitalise on success of Reds - Biljon

HARVEY Biljon fears the RFU’s strict policy on promotion may come back to haunt them as he believes they’ve missed an opportunity to capitalise on a catchment area in which the sport is thriving

- BEN JAYCOCK

Biljon’s Jersey Reds secured the Championship title last Saturday beating Ampthill 43-15 at the end of a 100-point campaign in which the Reds lost just once all season.

There was an outpour of emotion at the full time whistle as the islanders secured their first ever title, seeing off second place, reigning champions Ealing by two points.

Biljon said: “Although you know what’s coming if you win the game, until that final whistle went it wasn’t real but when it came there were a range of emotions that came flooding through to make you realise what this whole playing group and support staff had gone through.”

Despite the glorious scenes, Jersey will not be playing in the Premiership next season having failed to apply for promotion.

The RFU announced in January their minimum standards criteria which includes a club must have a capacity of over 5,000, plus planning permission to develop the ground to a capacity of 10,001 for the following season.