Raiders players set the tone for league finale
THE Raiders players have taken it upon themselves to set the tone of the week leading up to one of the biggest games in the club’s history.
Guernsey finish their London & South-East Premier campaign at home tomorrow against Towcestrians knowing that a win will guarantee them a promotion play-off at worst.
If Sutton & Epsom do Raiders a favour by either beating leaders Barnes or at least prevent them from getting a bonus point, then Jordan Reynolds’ men could still end up on top of the pile if they run in a sackful of tries against the bottom side at Footes Lane.
However, the coach revealed yesterday that since last week’s narrow defeat at third-placed Tring, he had ‘barely said boo to the guys’ this week.
‘We usually have a team meeting to talk over things at the start of the week, but the players had a private meeting themselves instead this week and, in fairness, after it they trained with a lot of enthusiasm,’ Reynolds said.
‘They have taken on the leadership of the situation themselves, which is good.
‘The message I will be giving them is that we know we are not measured by how well we train, we are measured by the results we pick up on a Saturday and our whole season will be measured on how we do against Towcestrians and how we do in the play-off if we are in it.’
Reynolds admitted that the 22-17 loss at Tring had had a deflating effect on his side last week, but was quick to add that looking at the bigger picture, they have much to be proud of.
‘The current air of disappointment comes because we were No. 1 for so long and let it slip, but we have surpassed every expectation we had as a group at the start of the season and if we get into a promotion play-off, that’s an amazing achievement and something we have never done before.
‘We are involved in the business end of the season of one of the greatest seasons we have ever had as a club.’
As things stand, with the most likely scenario being a promotion play-off with Bournemouth next week, Reynolds has opted to sideline key players such as Doug Horrocks and Luke Jones tomorrow while Dan Hill and Malcolm Barnes will not be risked either.
However, with Guernsey kicking off at 4pm, later than Barnes, the line-up may yet change if there is a chance of snatching the title.
Raiders team
Steventon, Ceillam, L. Batiste, Hillier, Merrien, J. Batiste, Le Cocq, Martin, K. Brown, Thomas, Campbell, N. Brown, Whitehead, Sayer, Armstrong. Replacements: Craine, Currie, Russell.
More in Friday's Guernsey Press.
