Bailey joins crocks

FLY HALF Alec Bailey is the latest long-term casualty for the Guernsey first XV as they prepare for their away trip to joint leaders Camberley tomorrow. Bailey was in need of an ambulance when hurt in training on Tuesday, having turned badly and damaged knee ligaments.

The loss of another player is the last thing coach Colin McLatchie needed as his team battle to move clear of the relegation zone in Powergen London Three South-West.

McLatchie is unsure which team he will put out against Camberley who after a flying start to the campaign have lost twice recently.

'We suffered a couple of injuries in training on Tuesday night and there are still a few sore bodies from Saturday,' said the coach who is unsure whether new Welsh recruit Shaun Crabb will figure this weekend.

The 6ft fly half from Swansea looked 'young, fit, fast and strong' in training but the coach wants to see more of him before making a decision on whether he is thrown straight into the team.

Among those definitely out is big Jim Regnard, who is on honeymoon, while the game signals the end of the league campaign for the highly-influential South African duo, Willoughby Bloem and Francois Venter.

Meanwhile, Jersey coach Dai Burton has reacted strongly to McLatchie's tongue-in-cheek remarks that Guernsey's Siam rivals were getting desperate by signing players such as former New Zealand schoolboy international Nathan Kemp.

Burton described it as a case of the 'pot calling the kettle black'.

He also slated the Guernsey club for going public that Bloem and Venter would be flown back for the Siam.

Not that the Siam is in any way Burton's mind at present, or so he says.

'We will only start thinking about it after our last London Two South-West fixture.

'We have signed Nathan to improve the future of the club. All coaches learn from better coaches and we didn't have a front-row specialist. Most of our front-row players are young, so they are benefiting greatly from his input.

'His playing is a bonus.'

Burton also added that it was by no means certain Kemp would be here for the Siam.

'He is due to captain Manawatu again and the New Zealand season begins a fortnight after the Siam.'