Match Preview

MORE PROBLEMS AHEAD OF DINGS CRUSADERS

The injuries are piling up again.
With Christmas around the corner there is no sign of an early gift for the Raiders coaching team in terms of selection ... just problems.
On Saturday, our boys meet Dings Crusaders for the first time. Based in the Bristol suburb of Frenchay having previously been based in Lockleaze up until 2018, they sit ninth in the table and won well at Old Redcliffians last week.
They will be big and tough on their new 3G pitch.
Reynolds has up to 17 players unavailable for the latest trip to the west country with Anthony Armstrong and Jason Batiste some of the latest to be added after limping off the pitch in the defeat to London Irish Wild Geese last week.
Worst still hooker Tom Ceillam, is also missing after having eight stitches in the gash to his head that he suffered last week.
Add to those Luke Sayer, Chris Ahne, Harry Baron, Dale Martin and Robin Le Cocq together with the longer-term absentees such as influential fly-half Owen Thomas and it adds up to one big problem.
Reynolds had hoped to name Blair Campbell alongside Luke Jones in midfield, but after playing for Vikings at KGV last week, he is out too.

This week, Dave Anderson will wear the No. 2 shirt normally occupied by ‘Tommy Rae’ and scrum down in the front row while George Shannon comes into the back row and will throw into the line-out, with Matt Creber dropping to the bench. Big Jacob Smith will make the step up from the Vikings for the first time to take a spot on the bench this week.
‘That’s the situation we are in, but we have got to look at it as tough challenges create great opportunities,’ Reynolds said of the new injury crisis.

Kick off 3pm at Dings Crusaders. Follow our Facebook and Twitter page for updates.

The Guernsey Raiders aren't the only Guernsey team heading to Dings this weekend. The Callum Gladstone coached, RBSI Guernsey Rugby Academy U18 Girls team will also be making the journey and playing their Dings counterparts at 5pm after the Raiders match. Good luck girls!

Guernsey Raiders (1-15):
Sam Steventon, Dave Anderson, Layton Batiste, Lewis Hillier, Matt Thomas, George Shannon, Dom Rice, Douglas Horrocks; Malcolm Barnes, Henry Greenhalgh, Callum Gladstone, Elia Morisio, Luke Jones, Daley Aremu, Alex Gow. Reserves: Cameron Craine, Save Tuimatanisaqa, Matt Creber, Jacob Smith, Owen Clemett.