DOUBLE-HEADER AT THE LANE
NOTHING less than perfect will do for Raiders to beat Hertford at Footes Lane on Saturday and make it four from four at the top of London and SE Premier.
That’s the verdict of head coach Jordan Reynolds who is well aware that Saturday’s visitors achieved the double over our lads last season.
Both games were mightily close though and Reynolds does not expect anything other than another close game this time round.
‘It’s pretty early season but I think a team like Hertford will be playing towards some of their best rugby and they will know this is a big game.
‘For us we know we have got to be right on the ball and as a collective we need our backs and forwards linking together. We can’t afford one to be strong and one to be weaker, we need a pretty united front because they are such a quality side and we will have to be at our best.’
The most notable team news is that Raiders are close to full strength, with skipper Lewis Hillier returning after his rest last week, Luke Jones from back hols, Luke Sayer fit again and Robin Le Cocq’s cows taking second best for once.
The farmer is back in action for the first time since being injured in the Doncaster Knights game in August and he replaces the unavailable Dale Martin.
On selection, the coach had this to say:
‘Robin has been training for the last two or three weeks and with Dale being away, he is looking forward to getting back in the side. There is a little bit of difference in their style at seven with Dale having good speed and is a great tackler while Robin is a bit stronger over the ball.
‘Last year I think they probably out-smarted us a bit in the forwards around lineout time. The backs have always been relatively even, but I thought their backs were pretty good last year, so our backs will have to really step up the mark this year and really nullify what they throw at us.'
Raiders team:
Steventon, Ceillam, Currie, Hillier, Merrien, Hill, Le Cocq, Horrocks, Barnes, Thomas, Campbell, N. Brown, Jones, Armstrong, Sayer. Replacements: Craine, Skovronek, K. Brown.
Kick off 3pm, Garenne Stand, Footes Lane.
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Of course, it’s not just all about the Raiders this weekend.
The Guernsey Ladies are in action at home for the first time this campaign and will want to get their first win on the board after a disappointing result last time around.
Coach Chris Griffiths makes nine changes from the side walloped at Drybrook and although the captain, Jemma Crouse is off island, a highly influential former skipper returns, as do others.
‘We are starting with an entirely different front row to see how they go from the kick off and Kristine Vavere comes back into second row to partner with Rachel Merrien in a powerful looking engine room, Tanya Scholtz reverts back to the more familiar ground of the back row and she will start at open side.
‘Having done a good job at fly half last time out, this weekend Hannah Guilbert steps in to the No.9 shirt in the absence of Jemma and we welcome back Fiona Ashworth to fly half and Chelsie Blondel comes in at No 12.
‘Carly Duchemin sadly misses out on her first start this season with a foot injury but we hope to have her back potentially for the next away game.
‘It is great to see Aimee and Lael starting for their second game in row on the wings. They have very much earned the right to start as they have been showing real improvements at training.
‘Vicki Rang will be captain on Saturday and she will also take on all of the kicking duties. I know Vicki will be a great captain and the team are in safe hands with her leading the side out.’
Starting XV:
Shannon Brown, Michelle Schofield, Heidi Mahy, Kristine Vavere, Rachel Merrien, Ellie Whittles, Tanya Scholtz, Eleanor Woodward ;Hannah Guilbert, Fiona Ashworth, Aimee Gaudion, Chelsie Blondel, Fiona Power, Lael Hollingworth, Vicki Rang (C)
Replacements: Andrea Harris, Janelly Le Maitre, Sophie O'Connell, Sarah Woodington, Fiona Drape, Roxanne Richards, Chloe Williams.
Kick off is at 12.30p, Garenne Stand, Footes Lane