Blondel puts golf before the Upton

VALE REC coach Ray Blondel will not lead the Priaulx League champions into the Upton - because of a golfing weekend in the UK. And with assistant coach Rob King away on a family holiday, Blondel has invited his predecessor, Chris Hamon , to make a one-off return to the dugout against the Jersey champions.

Blondel revealed that he would not be at Springfield on Saturday 26 April after choosing to honour a commitment to travel to Walton Heath with L'Ancresse Golf Club.

'Rob and I won't take the team on Upton day. We both have prior engagements,' said Blondel.

'Rob will be on a family holiday in the Seychelles and I'll be playing golf at Walton Heath. I arranged it and paid for it ages ago and I'm not changing my arrangements.'

Blondel said that he would have considered flying into Jersey on the morning of the match had Hamon not agreed to make an unexpected return.

'I could have got a direct flight from the UK to Jersey without a problem, but there's no need. Chris will look after the team and everything will be okay.

'I spoke to Chris about it after we beat St Martin's at the beginning of April. As soon as he said yes, I knew that I'd be staying at Walton Heath. I've got every confidence in Chris. He was in charge of the players for seven or eight years and he knows how they operate.

'I can't think of anyone better to represent Vale Rec in the Upton.'

It is understood that Blondel also wanted Hamon to take charge of the team on Upton day as a thank you for the latter's unstinting efforts over seven-and-a-half seasons in the Corbet Field hot seat.

The closest Hamon went to leading Vale to the championship was last season, when they finished two points behind Sylvans.

'I'm delighted. It will be a great honour and a very proud day for me,' said Hamon. 'I'll be getting back in training over the next couple of weeks.'

Hamon will be assisted by two former Upton winners, John Reid and Tony Smith. Vale will meet Trinity or Jersey Scottish in the Upton.