They were two cracking matches. They won here, we won away. Indeed, two sides were virtually inseparable and finished within two places of one another on the league table, sixth for us, eighth for Wimbledon.

Wimbledon edged the game at Footes Lane 28-24 but in the January re-match Reynolds' men nicked the win 22-21 thanks to a late penalty try. The two squads have both been improved since that day, but it would seem Wimbledon have improved markedly and lie second at present. 'Their squad has changed dramatically from last year. They have signed a lot of Australians and New Zealanders and they've brought a lot more power into their game,' said Raiders’ head coach Jordan Reynolds.

The signings have done the trick because they have won nine of 11 games and sit just three points off leaders Tonbridge Juddian. On the team news front, Sam Whitehead makes a long-awaited return. The Kiwi has not played since damaging a knee in the second game of the season and his return could hardly be more timely with the bulk of the squad's large absences still in the backs department.

While Whitehead slots back in at stand-off as opposed to full-back, Adam Nixon comes back at scrum-half and Malcolm Barnes may switch to the wing. Luke Skovronek also returns tomorrow having missed several games after turning an ankle, but at the same time Frenchman Romain Mercadal is ruled out with a neck injury and Matt Thomas with damaged back muscles.

Add to that list no Cameron Craine, Blair Campbell, Owen Thomas, Ned Brown and Luke Sayer, Raiders' options are again limited.

Wimbledon struggled to beat struggling Chichester last weekend, apparently lacking their normal cohesion and finishing ability, while Chichester put in by far their best performance to date. In fact, with their wealth of possession in the second half they
might easily have pulled off a surprise win and there was an audible sigh of relief when the final whistle sounded and Dons had retained their second place in the league.

Likely team:
Guernsey Raiders: Steventon, Ceillam, L. Batiste, Skovronek, Merrien, Hill, Hillier (capt), Martin; Nixon, Whitehead, Barnes, Hellier, Jones, Davison, Davies.

Replacements:
TBC