Match Preview

NEW-LOOK LADIES TAKE CENTRE STAGE

On World Cup final weekend the men have a week off and it is the Raiders Ladies who provide the domestic rugby ‘fix’.
It’s been a tough campaign thus far for Steve Evans’ injury-ravaged side who also lost Jessica Melville to a new career, the skipper to a new life in Canada and young Lucy Pratt to university.
But new faces have been introduced and it is far from doom and gloom for the Guernsey Raiders Ladies who play at home for the first time this weekend, still searching for that elusive first win of the season in national Challenge 1 South East-South.
After four defeats on the road, the Guernsey Raiders Ladies coaches are hopeful that the squad can make the most of home advantage against a strong Canterbury Ladies team that are currently lying fourth, three positions above Guernsey.
More injuries mean a depleted squad of 17 players being named for the Sunday lunchtime kick off.
Once again head coach Steve Evans is asking the rookies to step up and continue their baptism of fire in.
But it is hard to believe that there are five players in the squad who only started playing rugby four months ago.
They do not look out of place and they have stepped up to the challenge admirably.
They are complemented by experienced players returning to the squad and established players who are stepping up into leadership roles within the squad.

Kick off is at 12:30 on the main Garenne Stand Pitch so come and show your support.
And if the rugby World Cup has inspired you to try a new sport or return to the rugby pitch of your youth then contact either
team manager Justeen Baker justeenb@guernseyraiders.com
or Head Coach Steve Evans stevee@guernseyraiders.com
All are welcome.

Squad v. Canterbury:
Elin Pritchard
Daisy Travers
Kayleigh Oliver
Kristine Vavere (c)
Rachel Merrien
Georgia Denziloe
Vicki Rang
Tanya Scholtz
Aimee Le Bachelet
Justeen Baker
Jodie Martel
Sophie Ferbrache
Aimee Gaudion
Becky Ashworth
Lael Hollingworth
El Woodward
Kelly Jones