DOUBLE DONE ON DONCASTER

They all flew north for the club’s two important pre-season games against Doncaster, both won by the Guernsey tourists.
In terms of the women, it was just the sort of start new coach Steve Evans wanted.
Two exciting newcomers were bedded in to the Ladies XV and at the same time the club said farewell to Rachel Merrien, soon to move to the UK for a new career.
Brother Nick remains, though, still an integral member of the pack which played a big part in a resounding win over the professional club’s amateur squad, the Doncaster Phoenix.

Home-grown players like Nick remain key to the 21st century Raiders project and a first season at National Two South level.
While it is wholly necessary to being in UK or overseas talent to add depth to a squad which will be more physically challenged this winter, the ‘Made in Guernsey’ stamp is key to a club of our size.
There was a good sprinkling of Academy products among the 21 Jordan Reynolds took North to Yorkshire where the Raiders ran in six tries in a 36-28 victory.

The only blackspots were injuries to Owen Clemett and Luke Jones from an already makeshift backline,
'It was a lot more challenging than the Macclesfield game, which was good for us,' said Jordan Reynolds later.
Raiders were boosted by the arrival of another newcomer in Alex Gow, who started on the wing but moved into the centres when Luke Jones went off.
Daley Aremu, one of the summer recruits, was among the try scorers along with Tom Ceillam and Matt Thomas, who both scored twice,
New scrum half Owen Clemett also added to the tally and Reynolds has fingers crossed he will recover in time for the game against Old Albanians on Saturday week.

As for the Ladies, Jess Melville ran in five tries in the 57-5 win over Doncaster Demons.
The arrival of Melville, who played in the centre for much of the game before moving to No. 8, will be a big boost to the squad, as will prop Asha Maddy.
The game was also a first for new head coach and captain in Steve Evans and Ellie Whittles respectively.
As an experiment Jemma Crouse played at full-back and young Lucy Pratt tried her hands at 9.
Doncaster Demons play at one level below the Guernsey side and were quite a novice team, bolstered by there Yorkshire trialists.