Birthday boy Creber shining in dark times
MATT CREBER hits 18 today and as he takes his place in the Raiders back row for a crucial game in front of another expected bumper Garenne Stand crowd, Jordan Reynolds has praised the youngster for his efforts in a troublesome season for the team.
Creber, one of 10 locally raised or trained players in the 20-strong match-day squad for the visit of Bury St Edmunds, has impressively risen to the task, says his coach.
‘He has stepped up this season to the extent that at Worthing [last time out] he and Lewis [Hillier] were our players of the match,’ said Reynolds, who today pairs Creber alongside another RBSI Academy prodigy, Dom Rice, who returns to the side after minor surgery on his knee.
‘There is always good competition for places in the back row and it is great to see a young guy doing well,’ added the coach.
Both Rice and Creber take added responsibility today, with star man and regular No. 8 Doug Horrocks away for work.
George Shannon wears the No. 8 shirt and the chosen three back rowers could all come under pressure from new recruit Daniel de Kock, recently arrived from South Africa.
It is also very nearly an all home-grown set of three-quarters, with Callum Gladstone pairing up with Luke Jones in the centres, Chris Ahne on one wing and Anthony Armstrong at full back. Daley Aremu, who arrived from Old Albanian this season, is the odd man out.
Meanwhile, Owen Thomas is named on the bench having finally recovered from his long-term shoulder issue.
Reynolds said that after such a lengthy lay-off playing a full 80 was out of the question for the skilful Welsh stand-off, but he is sure to get some game time, which would allow Elia Morisio to move inside.
Regardless of personnel, though, Reynolds says it is imperative that the team defends the 15m channels better than they have.
‘They will attack us in those areas,’ he predicted of a Bury St Edmunds side with a new coach and lying a solid eighth in the 16-team table.
‘They have brought in a new coach who has got them back to their winning ways,’ said Reynolds, who all too easily recalls the pain of them putting 70 points on Raiders early on in the campaign.
After a poor run, today’s visitors have won three of their last four, while Raiders have now lost 10 on the bounce and are desperate for a win.
On a busy weekend for local sides, St Jacques Vikings are away to Shoreham today while Guernsey Ladies play away at Reading Ladies tomorrow.
n Guernsey Raiders v. Bury St Edmunds kicks off at 2pm.
