Match Preview

HORROCKS RESTED FOR SAXONS CLASH

RAIDERS give Douglas Horrocks and Blair Campbell a rest as a new-look Southend Saxons prepare to come to Footes Lane on Saturday afternoon.
Horrocks, who has a minor groin strain and Campbell, who has a niggly hamstring, are given the afternoon off against the team lying joint bottom with Towcestrians, having lost all five of their games thus far.
'To be fair, both these guys were already planned to have rests and if we had played them this weekend we ran the risk of them being out for three or four weeks.
‘Despite Dougie and BC being out, we still have a strong squad with the likes of Ned Brown, Robin Le Cocq and Jason Batiste returning after resting last week.
'We understand that it is a long season and if we don’t look after the players we are going to struggle in the long run. We want longevity out of our players and not having to play players who are carrying knocks.’
Le Cocq will return to the back row with Dan Hill switching to No. 8. In the backline, Ned Brown and Jason Batiste are reunited in midfield.

Kick off is 2pm at Footes Lane. Free entry for members and under 16's. £7 entry for non-members.

Raiders team
Steventon, Ceillam, Currie, Hillier, Merrien, Martin, Le Cocq, Hill, K. Brown, Thomas, N. Brown, J. Batiste, Armstrong, Jones, Whitehead.
Replacements: Craine, Skovronek, Barnes.

SUNDAY INTER-INSULAR COLTS CLASH

A second home game of the weekend involves a tasty Sunday noon showdown between the RBSI Guernsey Academy Colts and their Jersey counterparts in the Sussex Premier League.
Matt Chammings’ side opened their campaign with a narrow away win, but this clash promises to be equally tough, as the coach acknowledged.
‘They are a strong team,’ said Chammings who is able to name a full strength squad for the Caesareans’ visit to the old club pitch at Footes Lane.
‘They are always a good side and you know what you will be up against.
‘They tend to be forward orientated with a lot of pick-and-go moves,’ he added.
The Guernsey squad have all their Vikings players available, including the fit again John Le Noury.
The Vikings project is proving very beneficial to the upcoming youngsters says Chammings.
‘When you look at the Vikings of this season it is encouraging to see half of the side, or 8 or 9, are either Colts now or have been in the last couple of seasons, which is fantastic for local rugby.’

The Colts selection is: (1 to 15)

Michael Smith, Morgan Sales, Tom Bray, George Mclellan, Chris Croft, Tom Yarwood, John Le Noury, Matt Creber; Ben Holland, Tom Teasdale, Kieran Creber, Leon Collenette, Phil Le Noury, Will Mason, Cameron Le Prevost.
Subs: Nick Vaudin, Edward Unden, Matt Holland, Tom Concannon, John-Luc De Garis, Harry King, Tom Staples, Samuel Clark, Cameron Bell (Pending registration and fitness test).