'Be ruthless'

ROB BOX has admitted for the first time that Guernsey are in the driving seat for promotion from Hampshire League One. The GRUFC coach has been taken aback by his side's league form this season - just one defeat in 11 matches - but he now wants the Sarnians to push on and secure a spot in London South-West Division Four.

'I must admit I am pleasantly surprised that we are top of the league at this stage,' said Box, whose side faces Fawley at Foote's Lane tomorrow.

'When I and my other coaches took over at the start of this season, we aimed for a top-five place and then to build on it next year.

'But you have to say that it is only we who can lose it now and the guys are really up for it.'

However, after the euphoria of last weekend when a 29-16 win away to Eastleigh was coupled with promotion rivals Trojans' shock home defeat to Fareham Heathens to put Guernsey top of the table, Box acknowledged that his side could not afford to lose focus on the job in hand.

'The guys are on such a high but we have got to put our feet back on the floor because we have got an important game against Fawley coming up,' he said.

'But I think, looking back, the loss we suffered just before Christmas to Sandown and Shanklin was a good thing for us in a way because it made us realise that we have to work hard and not take anything for granted.'

On paper this is a match of David-versus-Goliath proportions.

The visitors are bottom of Hampshire One with just a single point to their name and a defence that has conceded 383 points in 12 games.

The gap to Guernsey, who have played a game fewer, is 18 league points and the 379 points that the Sarnians have scored so far this season is more than 100 greater than any other team.

It is not surprising, therefore, that Box is confident of success but he wants his side to be ruthless.

'I do not want to take Fawley lightly. We should be looking to put 50 or 60 points on them and improve our points difference because by the end of the season, the league could be as tight as coming down to that.'

But with vital games coming up in over the next few weeks, there is some worrying team news.

A week tomorrow Guernsey travel to play their re-arranged fixture with second-placed Isle of Wight and the following weekend they are away to third-placed Trojans. For both matches there will be key figures missing from the Sarnians' line-up.

'The problem we have is that all our Welsh contingent are away at a function for next weekend's game so we have three regular forwards out, including our starting hooker Paul Thomas,' said captain Carl Johnson.

'Then Dave McGall, Graham Hards and Jason Mroch are all away for the Trojans game.

'So this week we have got to try to develop into the team the players who we are going to need to cover the losses over the next couple of weeks.'

James Regnard will be missing once again this week as he rests his long-term injury to ensure he is available for February's big trips away.

Guernsey v. Fawley kicks off at 1.30pm at Foote's Lane.