Guernsey Press

Depth returning to Guernsey Raiders' ranks ahead of big home clash with Westcliff

DON'T say it too loud, but Guernsey Raiders appear to be in rude health just as they head into the crux of the season.

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DON'T say it too loud, but Guernsey Raiders appear to be in rude health just as they head into the crux of the season.

Although Layton Batiste was not named in the match-day squad for Saturday's big clash with Westcliff by coach Jordan Reynolds yesterday as the big prop is currently on the injury list with his brother Jason, signs are promising that Guernsey have enough quality resources at their disposal to cement a highest-ever league finish over the final five games of their National Three London & South-East campaign before taking on the might of Jersey in the Siam Cup.

Reynolds was hesitant over front-rower Batiste, suggesting he could have made the bench tomorrow at a push, but the replacements he did name show that the options he has to chose from now are a far cry from those when the two sides met earlier in November when Westcliff edged it 24-23.

'We are getting pretty close to full strength, although I'm not sure we have ever been able to say we were totally at full strength for any game,' Reynolds said.

Seventh-placed Westcliff's results since the turn of the year have gone with the form book.

They began 2017 with three successive defeats against the top-three teams in the league, but they have since won four games in a row against sides below them in the table.

Raiders are two places above them and are in a rich vein of form at home, having won six on the trot at Footes Lane, while last week they came within a converted try of beating league leaders Tonbridge Juddians away.

  • Full story in Friday's Guernsey Press

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