A SATURDAY SPECIAL
RAIDERS refresh their front row as they look to get Part 1 of Saturday’s ‘Past and Present Players Day’ double header off to a winning start.
A full haul of five points is what Jordan Reynolds’ side will be targeting and at the same time the head coach is looking for his men to get off to a faster start than the sluggish openings of recent weeks.
Reynolds, who makes three changes from the starting XV who after a slow start, ultimately tore Southend Saxons apart last week, says that his team have talked openly this week about ‘not ending the season with regrets’.
Every game is a big one from now on, says the coach who has overseen nine straight wins and sit six points clear at the top of the table.
Charlie Currie and Cameron Craine come into the front row this week with Sam Steventon and Layton Batiste dropping to the bench where, you would expect, they will get some action.
‘We have got four good props and we need them all playing regularly,’ said the boss.
‘We have lots of competition in the area and Charlie has only been playing in dribs and drabs, so this is a big opportunity for him.’
The only other change is that Malcolm Barnes starts at scrum half with young Kyle Brown reverting to the bench.
Luke Jones is fit having come off with a cut lip last weekend.
As for Sidcup, Reynolds stresses that they are not to be underestimated.
‘They like to play with the ball in hand and they have got threats across the park. They will be similar to playing a Dorking side.’
And, of course, Dorking gave us a huge game last time at Footes Lane so Reynolds and all Raiders fans will be hoping for a faster start this time around.
‘When we played them away we got out of the blocks early and did some damage then but they fought back well.
‘Our focus this week is our mindset – we want to get that right.’
The match this weeks starts late than usual, at 3pm, and is followed almost immediately by the Vikings latest Sussex Armada Ale 2 game against Midhurst at 5pm.
It promises to be a great day of rugby, especially as it coincides with the start of the 6 Nations.
Indeed, the Garenne Stand and Club HQ is the only place to be this Saturday.
TEAMS:
Guernsey Raiders team
Cameron Craine, Tom Ceillam, Charlie Currie, Lewis Hillier, Nick Merrien, Dan Hill, Dale Martin, Doug Horrocks, Malcolm Barnes, Owen Thomas, Anthony Armstrong, Blair Campbell, Luke Jones, Luke Sayer, Sam Whitehead.
Replacements: Layton Batiste, Sam Steventon, Kyle Brown.
Vikings:
Luke Skovronek, Leon Gardner (capt.), James Mroch, Jacob Smith, Mitchell Smith, Alex Lock, Tom Rihoy, James Regnard; Johan Greenberg, Alec Bailey, Cashel Cahill, Gearoid Lee, Callum Gladstone, Chris Ahne, Leon Collenette.
Replacements: Alan Myers, Callum Murdoch, Matt Creber, Jason Batiste, Billy Wickham.