Guernsey Press

Raiders in need of ‘small miracle’

RAIDERS seem resigned to their fate as another defeat was coupled with yet more injuries on Saturday.

Published
Guernsey Raiders head coach Jordan Reynolds is frustrated that his side's first season in National Two South has been blighted by injuries. (Picture by Martin Gray, 23209838)

The 32-5 reverse at Redruth was Guernsey’s 12th loss in a row, which has left them rooted to the bottom of National Two South, and they ended the game with both Owen Clemett and Elia Morisio sidelined, possibly for lengthy spells.

‘We do not really know the full extent of Owen’s injury, but we think it could be a slipped disc in his back,’ said coach Jordan Reynolds. ‘He was in a lot of pain, so much so that we had to call an ambulance to the hotel on Saturday night.

‘We also lost Elia to an ankle injury.

‘That’s the cards we are being dealt at the moment.

‘Looking back on everything that has happened over the last year, we have had one of the greatest seasons in Guernsey’s history with promotion to this level and winning the Siam – that is unlikely to be rivalled – but it makes me wonder, did we get all our luck in those six months?

‘My one biggest regret is that we are not having a crack at this league with even 80% of our squad, so there are always going to be those unanswered questions.

‘I would rather lose games with our whole squad because it would answer questions of whether we are good enough to be at this level, but as it is the boys and I are frustrated because we haven’t had that chance.

‘You could not have written a worse script for us this season.’

After 18 rounds of the 30-round season and with three teams facing relegation, Raiders, Birmingham & Solihull Bees and London Irish Wild Geese have been cut adrift by 15 points at the bottom of the table.

‘We really did have to win at the weekend to change this season,’ Reynolds said.

‘We didn’t do that, so unless a small miracle comes around...

‘It doesn’t mean that we cannot make others’ life difficult in this league, though, and that’s what we are targeting now. We just want to start enjoying games again and start playing some good rugby.’

  • More in Tuesday's Guernsey Press.