Claire will drive 700 miles to play

CLAIRE QUERIPEL will be driving 700 miles this weekend to help Nerine's promotion push in the National Clubs League. The daughter of Gill, the club's coach, is currently studying at Liverpool's John Moores University and she will be featuring in both of the Guernsey side's final NCL Division Seven games of the season on Saturday and Sunday, as well as attending a wedding in between matches.

Her journey will take her from Liverpool to her sister's house in Surrey where she will spend Friday night. She will then join up with her teammates on Saturday morning in Portsmouth, play against Just Ahead before driving to Hertfordshire for the wedding.

On Sunday she will travel from there to Bath where Nerine are playing Roman Glass. Finally, she will return to Liverpool.

'It is going to be something like 700 miles. There's commitment for you,' said Gill Queripel.

'The plan was that she would probably not be needed on Sunday but we have got a few injuries, so she will be coming to Bath.'

Nena Bourgaize is one of those injury worries. She has inflamed the muscle behind her knee and Queripel is unsure whether she will be able to play a full part in both games.

Meanwhile, Naomi Taylor has a groin strain and although Nerine are virtually guaranteed of promotion if they win both fixtures, the coach said that her players' health was of paramount important.

'We are trying to bring the injuries under control but I am not going to risk damaging a player just for the sake of promotion,' said Queripel.

'I know she is desperate to play, like all of them are, but at the end of the day you have got to weigh up what's best for her.'

Nerine lie third in Division Seven, having won three of their four matches so far, including victories over Yendys and Clan who are first and second respectively.

However, the top two have still to play each other so a couple of wins this weekend should see Nerine finish in either first or second and give them promotion.

'It would be fantastic if we could get promoted in our first season and I am confident that the girls will do the business.'