Guernsey Press

Reynolds urges Raiders to believe ahead of 'remarkable' Blackheath match-up

Guernsey Raiders head to one of the most esteemed names in British club rugby this weekend with a trip to Blackheath in south-east London to face the fourth-oldest club with a continuous existence in the world.

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Raiders are coming off the back of a confidence-boosting win over Westcliff in National Two East. (Picture by Martin Gray/Guernsey Sport Photography)

The red-and-blacks of Blackheath first packed down in 1858 and Raiders director of rugby Jordan Reynolds admitted that it is something of a shock to find the club at National League 2 level, having been near the top of National One for many years.

Reynolds expects Blackheath to go straight back up but said that this weekend should prove to be a good mental test for his own squad.

‘For the players from our club to get the opportunity to play against a side like this in a league is remarkable, we’ll probably never see that again.’

  • Listen to a full interview with Jordan Reynolds on this week's Guernsey Press Sport Podcast (from 13.45)

Blackheath lost last weekend to Old Albanian and while the Raiders might expect a response, Reynolds is seeing this game as an opportunity to test his players.

‘We’ve been missing a little of belief in our game. Teams below us we beat by big margins, no other side in the league gets close to our scores, and we understand that we should be beating them, and we go out and deliver the performance.

‘With the teams above us that we’ve lost to, particularly early season, we probably didn’t have enough belief that we could win those games. Halfway through the game we realise we can compete with them, but ultimately by that stage it’s too late.

‘Look at a lot of the games earlier this season it wasn’t teams beating us, it was us beating ourselves. It’s probably a confidence issue we’re lacking at the moment. We probably don’t believe our worth in this league.

‘That is something we want to work on, to instil belief in our performance and replicate that on to the scoreboard.’

Raiders lose Tom Ceillam with a rib injury and Luke Sayer from last weekend but are still able to name a strong squad for the trip.

Owen Thomas comes off the bench, where he was last week, to take an unusual spot for him at full-back.

Colts stand-off Oscar Bailey, 17, earns a spot on the bench for the first time, and will probably see some game time in the back three. He had a good game for Vikings last weekend.

‘He’s a local lad and I’m sure this will be an exciting moment for him,’ said Reynolds.

‘It’s a good opportunity for him to come in and let him see what it’s all about.’

Raiders team to face Blackheath:

Steventon, Morgan, Pinkney, Hillier, Webb, Creber, Dom Rice, Horrocks; Simmonds, Davies, Smith, Teasdale, McGann, Anthony Armstrong, Thomas.

Replacements: Burger, Bellingham, Culverhouse, Bailey, Boyland.