CHICHESTER were soundly walloped the last time they arrived at Footes Lane, but that was a fully a year ago and Raiders director of rugby Jordan Reynolds says that 52-14 scoreline will count for nothing this Saturday.

‘They will be a good side, although we should’t take too much notice about the first day results because sides will be a bit rusty. Also, we don’t know where Westcombe are this year in terms of strength. We know Chichester are going to be a massive challenge though.’

Despite that hammering at Footes Lane last September Chichester exacted revenge with a 31-20 win on their home patch over the festive period last season when at the end four places separated the two sides in the National Three London and SE table.

Like most, if not all sides, Saturday’s visitors have strengthened in the summer and to take Westcombe Park to the brink on opening day – they lost 17-18 away, was an encouraging performance against the Kent Cup holders who lost just one home game last season.

Six players made their Chi debuts - Owain 'Taff' Davies, Ross Miller, Ben Deavall and on the bench Evan Woodworth, Jack Lumbard and Tom Blewitt - and the visitors led 10 - 8 at the break.

Reynolds says that typically Chichester have a sound back row and have built their play around that strength for a number of seasons. He is also worried about the weather. ‘It’s supposed to get pretty wet, which will hamper both sides.’

The early Raiders team news is that Dale Martin is ruled out with an injury picked up in training, but fellow back-rower Matt Thomas is expected to recover from the injury he picked up at Colchester.

More team news tomorrow.