Match Preview

SKIPPER EXCITED TO GET STARTED

SKIPPER Lewis Hillier leads Raiders into a new season at Towcestrians on Saturday with a new set of goals and with excitement levels high after the success of last campaign.
‘We have set new goals and want to go out there and start achieving them from the start and start the season with a good roll of wins,’ said the Bristolian who is going into his seventh season in the Raiders colours.
The team news is that Raiders will give a first competitive start to Kiwi Douglas Horrocks, while two more of the Raiders new-boys, Charlie Currie and young Aussie scrum half Kyle Brown, are on the replacements bench.
Reynolds, who has to do without wingers Luke Jones and Anthony Armstrong, who are both away, said that the mood in the squad is terrific.
'A couple of weeks ago I was a bit concerned with the mood. But in the last two weeks the mood has changed completely as the process we have been working on has clicked.
'The atmosphere has been fantastic.'
As for the opposition, Towcestrians are something of a mystery to Reynolds, having moved across from National Three Midlands to London & SE Premier.
Last season they finished 10th and the bulk of their points came at home in Northamptonshire.
Hillier, who starts in the back row at No. 6, said before Thursday night’s training that everyone was raring to go, even though there would be a couple of absentees.
‘Obviously we have been putting in a lot of work in pre-season stuff and haven't had too long off, so we are looking to put that in to practice on Saturday.
‘There’s a lot of new boys and they're excited as well to see what it's like playing for Guernsey.
‘Obviously we have got team targets but for me it's to push that, make sure the boys are staying focused to make sure those goals are set and making sure the lads keep switched on.’