HE IS the player Andy Bailey describes as ‘the type of guy every side wants to have’. Having now become one of the first names on the teamsheet, it seems remarkable that Darren Jones was one of the few ‘imports’ whose arrival at the Guernsey Rugby Club virtually slipped under the radar.
Yet put it to the Guernsey captain that some underrate Jones’s importance to the team and Bailey’s reply is emphatic: ‘I don’t.’
Unlike his fellow Welshmen, the Thomas brothers and Matt Morgan, Jones has rarely grabbed the headlines over the four years he has been playing locally - but that suits him fine.
Affectionately known by everyone as ‘Billy’ - as in Billy Whizz because he used to be a winger - the 33-year-old flanker is a polite, modest man who is quick to praise others around him.
But credit where it is due, Jones’s natural Welsh flair and terrific work ethic bring so much to the green-and-whites that he should not go unnoticed. In Guernsey’s concluding London Three South-West victory against Dorking three weeks ago, he was the outstanding performer.
Now he is ready to take his place in his fifth Siam Cup this afternoon in Jersey as one of those rare people - a Guernsey player who has tasted success.
‘It is a good occasion and I just hope the boys enjoy themselves. Last year we stood off Jersey a bit and perhaps gave them too much respect,’ Jones said.
‘They are obviously a good side, but because they are the favourites, they are at home and they are expected to win, the pressure is on them.
‘They have had a good run since Christmas, but we have had a decent run ourselves and have lost only twice this year.’
The foundations of Guernsey’s success since new year have been laid by the pack, with Jones part of an impressive back row alongside James Regnard and Nick Barton.
Regnard, as always, has been the imposing figure for Guernsey this season while Kiwi Barton has become increasingly influential.
‘Jim is a good character and a great ambassador for the Guernsey club,’ Jones said.
‘Since Nick has come in just after the new year, he has added a lot of quality to the back row.
‘He does a lot of the dog work and puts in the big hits for us, which makes it easier for Jim and me to get around the park.’
Jones also acclaimed new pack leader Peter Miers for the impact he has made, particularly in the set pieces, saying that ‘the line-out has come on in leaps and bounds’.
Now, though, several of the team are stepping into their first Siam Cup and so Jones’s experience of this special occasion could come in handy.
‘I am used to the crowd now and the stick you get,’ he said.
‘The nerves get out of the way once the ref blows his whistle. It is always a pretty hectic game and is over and done with quite quickly really.
‘I don’t remember too much [of the win in 2005], but I was quite emotional to be fair and it was really good to be a part of it. It would be nice to do it again.’
* TODAY’S big match kicks off at 3pm.
Article posted on 5th May, 2007 - 12.00am
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