Welsh dragons breathe some fire into Guernsey

THE green-and-whites will be relying on those with their roots firmly based in a traditionally red part of the rugby world today as they face the old enemy in the Siam Cup. Guernsey's marvellous season to date has been based in no small part on their excellent contingent of Welsh dragons and the Sarnians hope that they can continue their form into the last and most traditional game of the season.

Matt Morgan has grabbed the attention of spectators over the last month with his barnstorming performances from number eight, flanker Darren Jones always oozes quality and Paul Thomas has won more ball at hooker this season than any team has the right to expect.

But while those three have often got the plaudits, the remaining member of the Welsh quartet has got on quietly with his job at loose head prop and to great effect.

Steven Thomas, brother of the aforementioned Paul, is not one to go searching for the limelight but his efforts in helping Guernsey to the Hampshire One title cannot, and should not, go unnoticed.

However, in his eyes, he is just doing what he, as a typical Welshman, loves to do.

'To beat my tight head in a scrum gives me the same buzz that, for example, Andy Bailey gets when he touches down for a try in the corner,' Thomas said.

The 32-year-old plasterer has previously played for the Morriston and Birchgrove clubs in Swansea as well as having a couple of trial matches for Llanelli when he was 21, although a neck injury prevented that going any further.

Now, in his first season with the GRUFC, he is still getting as much pleasure out of playing rugby as ever.

'It has been very enjoyable. All the boys have made us very welcome, even the boys who we have had to fight for positions with.

'I had not even heard of Guernsey until two-and-a-half years ago but the club is also a good place to meet the locals. It breaks the ice and the amount of work we get from there is amazing; it is very much like back home,' he said.

Steven and Paul come from a big family that also includes a third brother who works here while another sibling, Michael, is a dab hand at pool and is currently ranked 24 in the world at under-19 level as well as being at the Swansea City School of Excellence.

But don't worry, Steven and Paul have ensured that everyone back home has been kept informed as to how Guernsey are doing on the rugby field and how big a match is coming up this afternoon. Morgan's parents are even flying over to see it.

But before we discuss the Siam, Thomas the prop had a look back at the highlights of the season so far, starting with the title clincher a week ago.

'It was a great day. I have won a couple of leagues back home but I have never had a crowd like that watching us do it,' he said.

'The one time I have played in front of a crowd like that was when we drew Neath in the Welsh Cup and we had about 700 there.'

Then, of course, there was the extraordinary achievement of reaching and almost winning the Hampshire Worthington's Bowl final against Tottonians.

'All the boys raised their standard on the day and we were very professional about the whole thing.

'We were bitterly disappointed to lose and that's mainly because we gave them the game.

'That game has shown us as you step up divisions, the more the mistakes you make will be punished. It is important on Saturday to keep mistakes to a minimum.'

Jones, who has played in a Siam before, has told Thomas what to expect from the whole occasion and he is eagerly anticipating the match.

When we spoke he admitted that he was already starting to feel a few butterflies in his stomach and from training he could tell how important the game is to the club.

'When we are going through the drills, there is usually a lot of laughter and wisecracks, but there was not a lot of that. People were just focusing on the job in hand. They want to win and that's the way it should be.

'It is a good idea going over to Jersey the night before. That way we can have some breakfast as a team rather than turning up to the airport the morning of the game all bleary eyed. We are treating the Siam Cup with the respect it deserves.'

And he is sure the Sarnians will put up a good showing, although much rests on him, his brother and the rest of the pack.

'I would say our backs would compete with any from one, two or even three divisions above us; it is whether the forwards can give out quality ball,' Thomas said.

'Jersey forwards look big from what I have seen and they are used to the intensity of a higher league, so it is important for us to secure our own set-play ball and give our backs a chance to express themselves.'

'We spoke to a few of the Tottonians and they said Jersey were strong up front.

'With it being such a big game, I do not think it is going to be down to physical attributes. It is going to come down to whichever team makes the fewer mistakes.'

Thomas likes the balance of youth and experience in the Guernsey side, with strong characters like the unofficial pack leader, Jock Quesnel, and captain Carl Johnson being excellent leaders, ensuring that players remain level-headed.

But while the forwards and backs make two teams within the team, the front row in itself can be looked upon as a separate entity and Thomas enjoys working alongside his brother and Jason Mroch.

'Jason is a good tight head because he pulls the scrum down nice and low. He is another of the unsung heroes on the pitch who does a lot of the donkey work.'

He is also prepared to sing his brother's praises.

'He is a good player. People look at him and think he is not a hooker because he is 6ft 1in. and we go low in the scrum, but he has got quick feet and really puts pressure on his opponents. He likes to let them know they have got a busy afternoon.

But it is another of the unsung heroes who Thomas believes could turn out to be a star today.

'Lee Whatman. It is going to be his type of game. He is a good player, has some nice touches and he is quite cheeky to go with it.

Thomas' aims for the match were initially quite conservative: 'As long as we do better than last year, it means we are progressing as a club and can look to take that on next year,' he said.

But he dropped his guard at the first mention of no Guernsey win since 1995.

'Records are made to be broken, aren't they? Ireland had not won at Twickenham for 10 years and were not expected to this year, but they did.'

Whatever the result this afternoon, the Guernsey lads deserve a drink or two tonight to mark an outstanding season.

But, as Thomas said, a drink 'just tastes sweeter with victory'.