JASON REJOINS BROTHER FOR HERTFORD CLASH
He’s back.
Just a week after lining up in the annual St Jacques festive Bob Hayes Memorial Trophy clash at KGV, fireman Jason Batiste, who retired from rugby last season, returns to Raiders colours this weekend as they defend top spot in London and South East Premier with a tough home clash against fourth-placed Hertford.
Jason slips straight into the centres alongside the in-form Matt Armstrong but our head coach has no worries over the replacement’s rustiness, although given the current shortage of backs worsened by the absence of a holidaying Anthony Armstrong, it is a case of needs must.
In other changes Owen Thomas moves back to fly half and Joe Andresen slips back into the 15 shirt where he has also performed so well in his maiden season.
Given that Luke Sayer is also equally home on the wing, he will make for a very handy and experienced replacement for our top try scorer who will be back for next week’s big clash at home to Rochford Hundred.
Raiders had a light run out on New Year’s Eve, before resuming training as usual yesterday, so they should be nice and fresh for the visit of Hertford who have fought out some classic encounters with Reynolds’s men in recent seasons.
They are also one of the division’s form sides.
After an inconsistent start to their campaign, Hertford have risen to fourth in the table thanks to five wins in their last seven games, with the two defeats in that time inflicted by title contenders Wimbledon and Rochford Hundred.
Raiders won narrowly 21-17 on their trip to Hertford earlier in the season. It will be tough again, that’s for sure.
As for the rest of the Raiders team, Dom Rice starts alongside Matt Creber who is still back from Exeter University and was among the try scorers at Brighton.
Robin Le Cocq is out injured after picking up a niggle at Brighton.
The Hertford clash is the final game of what promises to be a fine day of busy rugby action.
In the morning our U15s are in action against Hayward’s Heath on the Les Ozouets pitch (from 11.30am) which also hosts the St Jacques Vikings match against Hertford 2s at 2pm.
Raiders Ladies also take centre stage on the main Footes Lane pitch with a 12.30 kick off against Southampton Ladies.
Our advice is to get along early to watch this rugby bonanza!
Free entry to the Garenne Stand for members and under 16. £9 entry for non-members.
TEAM
Sam Steventon, Tom Ceillam, Layton Batiste, Lewis Hillier (capt), Nick Merrien, Matt Creber, Dom Rice, Courtney Raymond, Jake O’Connor, Owen Thomas, Mike Agyei-King, Jason Batiste, Matt Armstrong, Luke Sayer, Joe Andresen. Replacements: Cameron Craine, Jacob Pinkey, Lucas Barker