Expectant Guernsey just 80 minutes from glory

TOMORROW is the Guernsey Rugby Club's date with destiny. After a terrific league campaign by the Sarnians, they are just one victory away from securing the Hampshire One title. Third-placed team Isle of Wight stand between them and glory.

Captain Carl Johnson emphasised just how much this single match means to the club, both for the current squad and those of the future.

'It is the most important one of the season,' he said.

'What needs to be put over to people here is that if they want Guernsey to win the Siam more than once every 11 or 12 years, we need to be on an equal footing with Jersey.

'They cannot expect Guernsey to play two leagues below them throughout an entire season and then match them in one game every year. We need to go up a couple of levels to be able to compete with Jersey regularly.'

A win tomorrow would be a huge step towards achieving that.

Guernsey will virtually be at full strength with the only absentees being winger Jim Elliott, who is away, and prop Simon Ogier, who is out for the rest of the season with a damaged shoulder.

Returning to the side is big Welsh number eight Matt Morgan, who missed the win away to Farnborough two weeks ago.

'Against a big pack such as the Isle of Wight have, it is good to have him back. He is a big lad, a powerful runner and strong in the tackle,' said the skipper.

In their previous meeting this season in February, Guernsey enjoyed a 15-3 away win but Johnson is aware of the threat tomorrow's opponents pose.

'They have a second-rower who is 6ft 8in. and 20-plus stone who used to play top level up in London but we mauled well against them last time.

'They have also got a pretty handy backline, which we were a bit surprised about.

'They have a southern hemisphere outside centre who was their key pivot player and also a quick winger who has moved to them from Romsey, so they are quite strong,' Johnson said.

But the Guernsey skipper is confident of securing the two points required to ensure the league crown, especially with the game being in front of the Foote's Lane stadium where Guernsey have a 100% winning record this campaign.

'We were slightly suspect with the Garenne Stand before the season because we had such a good record on the club's own pitch over the last couple of years.

'But the Garenne Stand has become a real advantage for us.

'Our guys like playing there and the opposition don't like to come there.'

For that reason, the Guernsey squad want as many supporters as possible to be present tomorrow.

It promises to be quite a party.