Raiders stick to game plan

Follow it up with a win over newly-promoted and immediately struggling Eton Manor away this Saturday, and the Raiders will be among the early front-runners in National Three. Momentum is vital for any title or promotion charge and there was much promise in the 52-14 win over Chichester.

Head coach Jordan Reynolds said the performance was far from perfect, but something to build upon and he was extra pleased how his men kept their cool under provocation.

'I think these guys – pointing to Chichester – would beat Irish,' said Reynolds to his club president Ady Le Page in the immediate aftermath of the comprehensive home win.

Irish, of course, had beaten Raiders in week one when Raiders' performance was strangely flat. Not this time, though.

'I think the biggest difference and it's easy to say you want intensity, but the intensity needs to be in the right areas and our line speed was brilliant and we stuck to our game plan,' said Reynolds.

The new half-back pairing of Adam Nixon and Owen Thomas certainly impressed and while the coach was highly encouraged by their efforts he still regards it as an experiment.

'It was a bit of a trial this week. Owen made a lot of breaks and our forward pack got us onto the front foot.'

But it was the side's composure which pleased the Australian.

'In the last part of the first half their aim was to get under our skins, but we didn't get involved. I think we kept rugby's name very clean today.'

The eight-try performance augurs well for this weekend. Eton Manor sit bottom having shipped 147 points in two games with a whopping 82 against Tonbridge Juddian after losing 65-7 at home to Hertford.