Come in the big boys

CONFIDENCE high and team spirit soaring, Guernsey go into tomorrow's Hampshire One league match against Eastleigh determined to extend their winning run. They come into the game as favourites on the back of a seven-try 48-30 defeat of Fawley. And they will run out again in front of an enthusiastic and vocal crowd in the Garenne Stand, the venue which has immediately become a favourite with players and supporters.

Coach Rob Box has had the luxury of being able to select the team he wants on the park, rather than just turn out 15 fit club players.

'I have been able to change things around. I have selected the biggest pack that we have at the moment. Eastleigh always have a big pack of forwards. They like to ruck.

'Our game plan will be to drive through the heart of them and then spread the game outside. We have wingers who can score great tries and we can also punish them through the centre.

'There is plenty of ability and mobility throughout the side. Jim Regnard (Guernsey number eight) will be working inside the number 10 to provide a strong platform. And we have the ability to change our game plan at any stage.

'The key has been the backs are fit and mobile. They are strong in the scrum, we are scrummaging lower and driving upwards. Opponents don't like that.'

As well as the change in personnel to add size to the scrum, there is one enforced switch: Ben Mahy does not make the starting side tomorrow.

'Ben has a niggling injury that he picked up in the Fawley game. He is such an important player and there are so many other games to come that there is no point rushing him back and risking him just for this match.'

That is Box's only slight worry, though. This is a Guernsey squad that is arguably at its fittest for many years, and not just because there is the nude calendar to pose for.

'They are not just fit but strong as well because in pre-season we trained full-contact. There is no better fitness than game fitness and these lads were used to getting hit and picking themselves up again.

'You can send a team to run around the pitch five times and they might get fit, but they will not be used to tackles.'

Guernsey has come in for criticism for alleged dirty tactics, a charge which the club still denies. And there has been talk of the greens having been on the receiving end of some strange refereeing decisions, that they are being punished for being so good.

'The problem is that we are now in a league that we should not be in. When we go up, we will get a better standard of referee.'

Seven tries were the reward for attacking, incisive play against Fawley, though the coach was unhappy that his side had allowed the bottom-of-the-table opponents to score so many points in reply.

'Our concentration fell in Fawley and we gave away penalties. But it sometimes happens that you play down to the level of the team you are playing against.

'Eastleigh are mid-table, but you never know what sort of team they are likely to put out against you.

'I have told the lads that they have to play every game as if it were the Siam.'

The will to win is slowly turning into an expectation to win, though Box is making sure confidence does not slip over into arrogance.

'We have not lost a game while I have been coach; it is not in me to lose; the team really hates the idea of losing.

'The team spirit is fantastic. I coached an Army side for five years and their spirit and pride were top-notch: the Guernsey side has that.'

He gives great credit to the Guernsey fans and hopes for another fine turn-out tomorrow.

'The stand is superb for our players. They were lifted so much by the support: the noise just bounces straight out onto the pitch.

'Our supporters are not put off by the rain. I hope they'll all be back there tomorrow.

'For that first game, a 3-0 win would have been good. To win as we did was fantastic. I was so nervous before the game, but I could not have asked for a better result.'