Kiwi connections

FIVE new signings could help Guernsey towards a promotion push in National Three London & South-East this season.

Although he has lost players of the calibre of Jason Harvey, Tom Pool, Chris Wood and Sam Stevens from his squad, GRUFC head coach Jordan Reynolds, pictured, believes the replacements he has brought in will give the team the strength needed to compete at the top end of the league.

'I think anyone in the top five by the last five games will be in contention. It is going to be that closely fought,' he said. 'The hope is that we have got a big enough squad to be up there and compete in what is a tough league.'

The newcomers include four New Zealanders with centre Ben McDougall and fullback/fly half Matt Ball having arrived from Christchurch via Scotland having played for Aberdeenshire last season.

Second rower Tom Hobbs is another to originate from Christchurch while fly half Sam Whitehead continues Guernsey's strong links with Palmerston North.

Matt Thomas, a back rower from Stourbridge in the West Midlands, who has played at National One and Two level, is the other new signing.