Fit-again Bailey to lead the troops

IN AMONG the Scottish, Welsh, South African and Kiwi accents at the Guernsey Rugby Club, a local will be speaking the loudest this summer. Andy Bailey has taken over the reins as first team captain following Carl Johnson's return to New Zealand and the 24-year-old's initial task will be to negotiate his team safely through their first season in London Three South-West.

'It is something I have always wanted to do,' he said.

'With Carl Johnson going back to New Zealand and the fact that we are probably going to be in this league for a couple of seasons now, it felt like a good time to come in.'

Bailey added that his captaincy style will be 'to lead by example and play my rugby with 100% commitment'.

Having missed the run-in to the end of last season because of damaged ligaments sustained against Old Amplefordians in March, on a day when he had already scored a hat-trick of tries, Bailey is more eager than anyone for the new campaign to start.

He acknowledged that for a second successive year Guernsey are taking a step into the unknown following a promotion and the Sarnians have to set realistic targets.

'The first aim is to be safe from relegation, like it was last year,' Bailey said.

'A couple of the teams have been around our leagues before, but generally we do not know what we are going to be up against. In that way, it is probably better for us because we have to concentrate on our own game.

'It is another step up, so it will be more difficult. In saying that, Jersey walked this league last year and we then beat them, so it really is impossible to know what to expect.

'My philosophy has always been that you can win any game, any time, anywhere - that is not going to change.'

Guernsey themselves will start off as somewhat of an unknown quantity after another summer of departures and arrivals.

As was expected, the big losses are those of Matt Morgan and Johnson, while Iain Johnston has also left.

But there are several new recruits, mainly Springboks, who are said to be very impressive. Island cricketer GH Smit is certainly one to watch out for.

'There is always a turnover in an island like Guernsey. We have to use what is available to us and bring on replacements for the guys who have left,' said Bailey.

'But we have got an immense amount of talent and we have got quality in every position. We are perhaps thin on second rowers, but everywhere else we have got two full teams of real quality.

'There are going to be some disappointed people when the first selection is made, but that is what you want - good competition for places and for people to react in the right way if not selected.'

Bailey will be working with head coach Rob Box, for who this is a third season in the role, and backs coach Colin McLatchie, who returns after a year's break.

The captain revealed that the team's gameplan will be similar to previous campaigns.

'If we are honest, we cannot get drawn into a forward confrontation because we are not a big side. We are not going to batter teams into submission.

'What we are is athletic and fit, so it is about moving the opposition around the pitch and wearing them down.'

Even though there is a long, testing league season ahead, it is virtually impossible to have a conversation about Guernsey rugby without mentioning the Siam.

For once, it makes a change to talk about it as holders, although Bailey does not want to use the clash with Jersey as a measure of success.

'We always have been judged on the Siam, unfortunately. For a long time, our season changed when it came around because suddenly loads of people would turn up for training just to play that game.

'Now that has changed and at the moment the Siam Cup is the furthest thing from our minds. We have gone up another league and we have to back that up by performing.'

However, he added that having missed out on the victory at St Peter in April due to his injury, the desire to help retain it is even greater on his part.

'I was so happy for the lads when the final whistle went, but deep down there was a feeling of regret that I wasn't out there.

'It was a great game to watch and I have every confidence that I will experience victory as a player this season.'

Away from first team matters, now that he is on the club's committee, Bailey has other items on his agenda that he wants to address.

'The main aim has just got to be improving the youth system. Our conversion rate from talented youth players into first team players is ghastly.

'In reality, myself and a couple of other guys have come through despite the system.

'We had a really good colts team in my age group, but they all went off to play football - only three or four people are still playing rugby from that group.

'We have got to get them away and playing games. That is the way you are going to attract players and improve them.

'We have got to be going away once a month at least, not three or four times a season. I know it is difficult to do because of the costs involved, but I see that as the biggest test for rugby.'