Sylvans back in reach of summit

IT HAS been 22 months since Sylvans sat on top of the Priaulx League table. But that could all change tonight as the westerners visit Northfield on the back of a run that has seen them win nine of their last 10 games, including their previous five league fixtures.

A win for either side would take them above St Martin's - in fact a draw would do for North - but because the home side still have games in hand over both their top three rivals, there is arguably more at stake for the visitors.

'If we win it and go top, psychologically that is quite a big step for the boys, although we will still have a long way to go,' said John Nobes, Sylvans' island captain.

'They remind me of us when we were first pushing for the title. They play good football, which is nice to see, and there is no real fear when you are young,' he added.

Morale is high in the westerners' camp and their cause has also been helped by the return of several important players such as the Nobes brothers and Steve Brehaut, who made a welcome reappearance on Saturday.

'The majority of people would probably agree that our strongest XI is capable of beating anyone else's strongest XI.

'We have got Paul back now, Matt Warren's returned from holiday and Chris Chamberlain is close to playing again. A lot of key players are coming back and it reflects on how well we are doing,' said John Nobes.

Geoff Tardif had no major injury worries to speak of yesterday morning although one player definitely missing is Kyle Stone, who is suspended.

As is typical of the North coach, he is 'really looking forward' to the game.

'We will treat it as everything to gain for our young players. They are learning all the time and now we will see how they get on when they come up against a team that has won several championships. It is youth versus experience,' Tardif said.

'Sylvans have put a decent run together and fair play to them, but I am not surprised about where they are in the league, perhaps more where we are, because we are a bit thin on the ground.'

Tardif said he was very impressed with how the westerners performed on Saturday in their 5-0 victory over Saints and although North have done well against them in recent times, that counts for nothing tonight, according to their coach.

'They played really well. What you always get from them are determination and controlled aggression. Our younger players have to be prepared to match that. Since I have taken over, we have always seemed to do well against them, but this is about the here and now,' he said.

Tardif, meanwhile, could have the Duff twins back for the title run-in.

Ben and Tom are currently travelling but reports suggest they could be back early in the new year.