A small matter of 16 years after the last league meeting between Jersey RFC and Dorking, a try-scorer from that game will make a surprise return to the colours of the Island side as the clubs renew acquaintances.
Former Jersey captain Talite Vaioleti has answered an injury SOS from Head of Rugby Myles Landick, with a loan agreement struck for the Tongan international to make a temporary move from Darlington Mowden Park.
With Landick having already used 38 players in six league games so far this season, including donning his boots for a cameo appearance in the game at Old Albanians last weekend, “Vee” will provide a welcome boost to Jersey’s forward resources as he slots into the front row alongside Joe Ridgway and Jack Macfarlane. The starting pack also features a first outing of 2026/27 in the back row for former Cambridge University player Matt West.
Another veteran will line up for the home side, with Guy Thompson highlighting his switch to a player-coaching role after a successful outing against Colchester a fortnight ago and lining up in midfield alongside Dan Barnes, while Harry Cochrane and Mark Boarer are the chosen half-backs.
Barnes will continue to lead the side out, but there’s a welcome return on the bench after injury for long-term skipper Evan Whitson, while Luke Stratford will provide front row cover alongside George Thomas.
Vaioleti’s surprise return was the second piece of startling selection involving a Pacific Islands’ forward in two days, coming hot on the heels of Union Bordeaux Bègles announcing that current Tongan captain ‘Big’ Ben Tameifuna would move from his usual tight-head slot to the second row for the French side’s European Champions Cup visit to Gloucester.
It’s been 16 years since JRFC met Dorking in a league encounter – the game at level five, or National 3 London/SE as it was then, at the Surrey side’s Big Field home in March 2010 finished 22-6 to the visitors, who subsequently won the league and gained promotion. Vaioleti and Nick Trower were the Jersey try-scorers that day, with Dan Hawkes landing four penalties.
The two clubs had been paired together in the same division over several previous seasons: a three year period between 2000 and 2003 at level seven, and then again in London 2 South (level six) in 2007/08.
In recent years Dorking have become firmly established in National 2 East, finishing third (twice), second and sixth over the past four seasons. The current campaign began with two defeats, including a surprise home reverse to Canterbury, but Armand Roux’s men have turned it round impressively, with four straight wins taking them to fifth in the table. Most recently they saw off previously-unbeaten Guernsey at the Big Field by 26-19 last weekend.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Dorking making the trip to Twickenham for the final of the Powergen Junior Vase, where they beat Cleobury Mortimer from Shropshire by 46-3.
The JRFC/DRFC women’s teams will take to the field later (3.45 k-o) to continue a more recent rivalry. The clubs met for the first time in NC 1 South-East (South) last season, with Dorking the victors on each occasion as they took Hove all the way in a title race eventually won by the Sussex side with a margin of just four league points.
Both JRFC sides will enjoy a week’s break after the game, the respite especially welcome for the men’s side after a seven-game block of fixtures to start the league season. The next N2E action is away to Esher on Saturday October 31st, with the following weekend seeing the visit of league leaders Oundle to CoinShares Park (k-o 3pm). JRFC Women will host Canterbury on Saturday October 31st at 12.30pm.
Jersey RFC squad v Dorking (H) – 2026/27 National 2 East, game 7/26, CoinShares Park, Saturday October 17th, k-o 2pm
Backs (15-9)
Freddie Earnshaw; Lance Armstrong, Guy Thompson, Dan Barnes (capt), Dylan Stocks; Mark Boarer, Harry Cochrane.
Forwards (1-8)
Joe Ridgway, Jack Macfarlane, Talite Vaioleti, Euan Spencer, Luke Bowles, Matt West, Kade Bird, George Willmott.
Replacements (16-20)
George Thomas, Luke Stratford, Evan Whitson, Tom Tilstone, Deepinder Dyal.
