Goude retains starting place

GUERNSEY'S biggest game of the season has arrived. Tomorrow Rob Box's men travel to Surrey to face London Four South-West title rivals Dorking in what promises to be a titanic battle between the two promotion chasers.

The Sarnians are out to maintain their perfect record in their inaugural season in the division while their hosts will want to bounce back from their first defeat of the campaign against Old Reigatian last week.

Guernsey captain Carl Johnson acknowledged that his side would be facing a Dorking backlash following that 6-3 result.

'If we could win it, it makes a big difference for after Christmas because it will give us a bit of a cushion,' added the skipper.

Johnson admitted yesterday that nerves were starting to creep in because there had been much hype surrounding this encounter for several weeks.

But in recent history, this is the sort of challenge Guernsey has thrived on and the players are eager to get the game started.

'The guys want this pretty badly now and it should be a good game. I imagine it will be a pretty physical clash,' Johnson said.

'Obviously, Dorking are a very strong side. From what I gather from speaking to other teams that have played them, their style is dominated by their loose three. They look to run a lot in the number-one and -two channels.

'Hopefully, with our pack, we can cancel that out, contain them in the tight and look to spread the ball out wide when we get it. If we can do that, we will be in with a good chance,' he added.

The Guernsey cause has been helped by Box having virtually a full-strength squad from which to choose.

In the pack, Jon Flynn has returned to the second row allowing Dave McGall to go back to his favoured position at prop.

Jim Elliott is also fit again but the form of Barry Goude and Paul Livesey on the wings means that they will continue in those positions.

'Basically, that is our full-strength side as things stand. Jim Elliott would be the closest one to it, but having not played for a few games, he will be on the bench,' Johnson said.

'At the moment, the pack is selecting itself, especially with Darren Jones injuring his ankle.

'The toughest spot to pick is on the wing and with Iain Johnston returning, it will give us options at centre and on the wing. Those positions are really becoming hotly contested.'

One position where Guernsey have been struggling this season has been fullback following the departure in the summer of Velde van der Merwe but the return to rugby of Divan van den Heever has been a major plus for the side.