Pressure off greens as Hale returns on bench

GUERNSEY have kept faith with the team that clinched the Hampshire League One title for tomorrow's Siam Cup match. The same starting XV that hammered the Isle of Wight 56-7 at Foote's Lane will run out to face the Jersey Rugby Club at St Peter, looking to claim the biggest prize in Channel Islands rugby for the first time since 1995.

But Carl Johnson, the Guernsey captain, revealed that it was not a straightforward team selection as it might seem.

'There were a couple of spots that were pretty tight, but in the end we decided to stay with that winning combination,' he said.

'We only had one change for the Isle of Wight game so we have got a bit of consistency going, which is good.'

But the biggest selection news comes among the replacements with front-row coach Steve Hale being named as one of the seven substitutes being taken across to Jersey.

'He came down to training last week and still has problems with his wrist, he is waiting for an operation on it, but he is able to play,' Johnson said.

'Although we are able to manage with one front row replacement in the league, you really need two for a big game like this and given the way he has played earlier this season he is in the squad.

'It is invaluable having someone like that on the bench for the Siam.'

Winning the Hampshire League One title has already made this a very special season for the Sarnians.

A Siam Cup triumph would put the icing on the cake, but the order of the day for the Sarnians will be to go out and enjoy the occasion.

'The pressure is off the guys now because we have achieved our big goal,' said Johnson.

'On Saturday, the guys will just go out, play our game and if we are better than Jersey on the day, we will win.

'There have been Siams where Guernsey have gone out just to stifle Jersey and look to nick the odd score. This time we are just going out to play our normal game.'

Jersey, as always, start the game as favourites.

Guernsey may be Hampshire One champions but the Caesareans came third in London South West Three this season - a division two above Guernsey's in the rugby pyramid.

'They have done really well. They had a good start, went off the boil a bit mid-season, but finished really strongly and beat some of the top sides in their league,' Johnson said.

'We will still be underdogs even next year because we will be in a league below Jersey.

'But I know Jersey will be taking us pretty seriously.

'In the past they have often gone out to weather the first 20 minutes or so and then use their strength and experience to win it. This time I think they know that they will have to keep going for the full 80 minutes.'