A juggling act with Siam around corner

That is Guernsey director of rugby Jordan Reynolds’ message to his Raiders as they prepare to face Rochford Hundred at Footes Lane tomorrow afternoon.

On their last outing a fortnight ago, the head coach bemoaned the fact that his side were only at 30% away to Sevenoaks and it resulted in a 33-26 defeat.

He does not want them to make the same mistake against tomorrow’s visitors, who are 12th in the 14-team table.

‘It will probably be similar to what we had against Sevenoaks, who were at their maximum because they are desperate to get out of relegation trouble,’ Reynolds said.

‘We believe there are areas of weakness we can exploit against Rochford and we had a good win at their place earlier in the season, but that game was actually a lot closer than the final [40-26] scoreline suggests because they were pressing for a score that would have earned them a draw right at the end, we managed to turn the ball over and go the length of the field to score a try.

‘We also know we have to get certain areas right – the set-piece, building our phase play better – if we are going to come out on top.’

The bye week has allowed some players to return from injury, with Charlie Davies, Luke Sayer and James Burger back in the match-day squad.

However, those injured against Sevenoaks – Malcolm Barnes, Owen Thomas and Tom Teasdale – have not recovered and captain Lewis Hillier is unlikely to pass a fitness test.

‘Historically, coming back after a break we find ourselves to have a bit more energy, but time will tell whether that is the case this time and we need to come out of the blocks quickly against Rochford. We have to start really well,’ Reynolds said.

‘Our home form has been really good and we’d like to continue that.’

Raiders sit comfortably in ninth in National Two East with four games remaining.

Reynolds revealed the aim for the rest of the campaign is to ‘continue progressing’, while admitting that another fixture is looming over the horizon.

‘We would like to get a few more wins, obviously. We have cracked 50 points for the season, but 60 or 65 would sound a lot better by the end, but we have one eye on the Siam now as well,’ he said.

Guernsey v Rochford Hundred kicks off at 2pm tomorrow at Footes Lane.

Raiders team (subject to change)

Steventon, Morgan, Pinkney, Culverhouse, Webb, Creber, Rice, Smiler, Boyland, Davies, Sayer, McGann, Smith, Armstrong, Roberts. Replacements: Bellingham, Burger, Creed, Veillard, Bailey.