Double Siam means more games than ever for Raiders
RAIDERS face their busiest season ever – but it is giving them something to look forward to in these difficult times.
Guernsey’s director of rugby Jordan Reynolds knows his squad will be pushed like never before in their 2020-21 campaign now that the Siam Cup ‘double date’ with Jersey has been announced for May 2021 in addition to the promotion back to National Two, where they will be one of 16 teams – two more than in London & South-East Premier.
‘In total, including a pre-season game, it could be 33 games, making it definitely the most games we’ve ever played in a season,’ said Reynolds, before explaining the process behind the Siam ‘double header’ in response to the Covid-19 pandemic which caused the postponement of the 2020 Siam that was due to take place at Footes Lane on 2 May.
‘We were pretty limited with the options we had and it was spoken about maybe moving [the 2020 Siam] to August, but having postponed it once already, with it being a big corporate day and a lot of fans looking forward to it too, because it’s all up in the air at the moment with the coronavirus, we were not sure whether it could go ahead in August.
‘So in consultation with Jersey, and also the RFU on when leagues might start again, we thought push it right back to next year was the sensible option.
‘But we did not want to put Jersey in an awkward position either, so the best compromise is for both to host one [a Siam day]. It is going to require a big effort with the amount of games we will have to play next season, but the Siam is a great event and we will cope as best we can.
‘Both clubs have worked well together on this and I think it’s a big bonus we agree that both can have their Siam day.’
