Boyland starts for Raiders and Barnes is back
RAIDERS are being hamstrung by injuries – quite literally.
Owen Thomas has joined Callum Roberts and Ciaran McGann on the sideline with hamstring problems, but last week’s memorable come-from-behind victory over Worthing has ensured that morale is high in the Guernsey camp going to second-placed Dorking tomorrow in National Two East.
‘We have still got a fair few injuries, which is not ideal for us but we seem to be bearing with it fairly well,’ said coach Jordan Reynolds.
He has made three changes to the starting XV with Jordan Smiler coming back in for Doug Horrocks at No. 8, Jason Batiste starting in place of Thomas, who he replaced off the bench last week, and Sam Boyland starts at scrum-half.
‘Charlie Simmonds has been away this week for personal reasons in England and has not trained with us and last week Sam did not get on, so we feel it is a good opportunity to rotate him in,’ Reynolds said.
‘Charlie has been playing well, but it is good to keep the pressure on with having these two nines.’
Talking of nines, Guernsey’s best-ever has been named on the bench this week as Malcolm Barnes temporarily swaps his coaching role for a playing one.
‘Because we’ve got so many backs out, he is there as cover,’ said Reynolds..
‘He has been training regularly, especially in the last few weeks, so he is pretty fit and active. He would not put himself forward if he was not keen.’
As for the opposition, Reynolds added: ‘Dorking are doing well,’ Reynolds said.
‘They have won two of their games in extra time, so it shows they have energy. Being able to compete for the full 80 minutes makes them a dangerous side.’
Guernsey Raiders team
Steventon, Morgan, Pinkney, Hillier, Webb, Creber, Rice, Smiler, Boyland, Davies, Batiste, Teasdale, Smith, Armstrong, Sayer. Replacements: Ceillam, Bellingham, Burger, Simmonds, Barnes.
