Guernsey 2nds and St Jacques were both due to play ‘outside’ opposition this weekend, but when Beeches pulled out of the scheduled Investec CI league match and Sandown & Shanklin could not raise a side to play the local black-and-yellows, agreement was quickly found to see the two Sarnian sides play each other in a friendly.

Mark Stone our 2nds coach, sympathised with St Jacques but is pleased with the way things have panned out, especially with his side having been given a points injection in their CI title quest by Beeches.

Stone has been able to name a strong squad which will surely test the KGV outfit’s season long unbeaten record.

The game starts at noon, so come along and watch the lads before the 1sts.

Teams:
GRFC 2nds: Murdoch, Choules, Jill-Tout, Parr, Martin, Leon Gardner (captain), Rice, Bellingham, Veillard, Alec Bailey, Ahne, O’Hanlon, Challinor, Gladstone and Andy Bailey.

Replacements: Roberts, Ashplant, Moriartty, B. Jones, regnard, Mooney, Quate and AN Other.

St Jacques: Dare, Marquis, Le Noury, Mroch, Chamberlain, Cornes, Le Page, Van Der Kammen, McFarlane ©, Penney, Jordan, Addis, Dempsey, Gallienne, Eastwood, Chammings, Cleere, Crawford, Titterington, Pearson, Haimes, Le Feuvre

THOMAS DEFINITELY PLAYS!

There will be no hoodwinks this weekend.

Jordan Reynolds insists Matt Thomas plays at home to Tring on Saturday in another must-win game for our 1st XV.

As well as young Dom Rice did last weekend, the visit of Tring’s big men means this is no job for the boys and Matt is fit again.

Sadly Robin Le Cocq is not quite there yet, but it will be a powerful side that takes on relegation haunted Tring at Footes Lane on Saturday afternoon.

This is the side: Craine, Ceillam, L. Batiste, Hillier, Merrien, Smith, Thomas, Barton, Barnes, Walters, Davison, Campbell, Brown, J. Batiste, Hema.

Replacements: Sawene, Challinor plus AN Other.

Jordan Reynolds is expecting another big battle against the Hertfordshire based club who are well used to battling the drop. .

‘They have had some good results lately and beaten some good sides.

‘We know this game is going to be a lot tougher than the CS Rugby one last week.’

Being still only seven points outside the relegation zone, they are in no position to relax yet.

‘Matt coming back in makes a huge difference in the set-piece, in his ball carrying and in defence.

'Dom did really well, although it was a massive eye-opener.

'I think he was puffing a little at half-time, but he made some great tackles.

'We wanted to keep it (his selection) quiet as we didn't want to give them the opportunity to target him.'

As for Thomas?

‘He adds a lot of weight to the pack from last week, he has got a lot of speed and experience around the park and he is one of our regular line-out jumpers so is very important in the set-piece.

Our coach said he rates the Tring forwards very highly and it may come down to the best back line on the day.

On recent form, ours has been pretty handy and let’s hope they are again on Saturday.

RBSI ACADEMY
The U11s are at the York Festival for the weekend and the U15s travel to Basingstoke for a Hampshire league match.