Top six still the target for Raiders

Raiders overcame a 14-point half-time deficit against the Hawks to win 45-38 and aim to maintain that momentum on the road tomorrow when they visit in-form Oxford Harlequins.

‘In the second half I don’t think we could have been more dominant,’ said Guernsey director of rugby Jordan Reynolds.

‘We had good discipline, our defence improved greatly and our conversion rate would have been up near 100%. We showed glimpses of the Raiders of old from earlier this season, which was really good to see.’

Raiders have been forced into changes with Josh Poullet, John Dawe and Matt Creber ruled out through injury.

However, Lewis Hillier returns while Jack Colbourne and Niall McGann will start, having made big impacts off the bench a week ago.

‘We are putting a bit of pressure on ourselves to deliver on an away day and if we can put in a strong performance we will give ourselves a chance. It doesn’t help that we’ve had to make changes, but we still have a strong team going,’ Reynolds said.

‘At the moment we are sitting ninth, but the gap between the rest is relatively small – it is 10 points to fourth with a game in hand and only five points to fifth – so even bonus points are going to be really important.

‘That top six finish is still our goal, but the reality is if you do not pick up a win at Harlequins makes that task a whole lot harder.’

Harlequins are directly below Raiders in the table, but have won their last four to ease relegation fears.

Guernsey Raiders team

Bray, Ceillam, Dromantas, Hillier, Webb, Carter, Welch, Colbourne, S Boyland, Simmonds, Smith, N McGann, C McGann, Armstrong, Roberts. Replacements: Burger, Dunn, B Boyland, Rutledge, AN Other.