Guernsey host Sevenoaks in their last home game of the National Two East campaign still harbouring top-six ambitions, even though Jordan Reynolds acknowledged that it will likely take two bonus-point victories in their final two matches to climb to those heights.
But with a break over Easter to look forward to before they head to Worthing for their last league outing of the season added to the confidence boost of last weekend’s win at Colchester, the Raiders head coach revealed his squad are determined to summon the energy to send the Garenne Stand crowd home happy.
‘Coming off the back of 10 games straight, our guys have been eyeing the last home fixture up for a while and there was so much in our game last week that was really pleasing , we want to build on that this week,’ Reynolds said.
‘We want to be really disciplined in our actions. We have talked about where we want to be and are targeting this one to make certain improvements and hopefully to get one last home win this season.
‘It has been a pretty long stint for us, so we want to use that home support to push us through for the next 80 minutes then we get that break, which will be a big thing for us – we are going to use it to get away from each other and recharge,’ he added.
Raiders have been forced into a couple of changes to the starting XV with Matt Creber awaiting a scan on the knee injury he picked up last week while Niall McGann is being a rest having been sick this week.
It means Josh Poullet will start in the back row, while Callum Roberts returns, albeit on the wing with Jack Colbourne in midfield and Ethan Smith continuing at fullback.
‘Ethan has been playing 15 over the last few weeks and we’ve been interested in his development there. He is getting his hands on the ball a little bit more, which is good to see,’ Reynolds said.
‘With Jack, he is pretty versatile. He has obviously played as flanker and on the wing for us, and by having him in the centres it will allow us to be a little more direct there and attack the gain-line.
‘Callum is coming back from a lengthy injury. He’s only had the 30 minutes last week, so he needs more game time.
‘When you look at it, we have got guys who can cover multiple positions, which is fantastic to have, and on balance it is a pretty strong side we are able to put out.’
As for the opposition, Reynolds holds 10th-placed Sevenoaks in high regard and expects it to be a physical encounter.
‘They are a strong outfit, a pretty gritty side. I am always surprised that they have been towards the bottom of the league because they are always really tight games between us,’ he said.
‘They are well drilled and fairly structured in the way they play, which is always a nod to good coaching.
‘Although they are already safe, this game is going to be a great target for them to see if they can come over here and take our scalp.’
Raiders against Sevenoaks kicks off at 2pm and is part of the ‘Blue Fixture’ double-header with St Jacques Vikings facing Sevenoaks Seconds at 11.30am with a percentage of the proceeds from the day going to Male Uprising Guernsey to help raise awareness and support of those affected by male cancer in Guernsey.
Raiders team
Dunn, Ceillam, Bray, Hillier, Webb, Hackett, Rice, Poullet, Rutledge, Simmonds, Roberts, C McGann, Colbourne, Armstrong, Smith. Replacements: Le Noury, Kent, Welch, Thomas plus AN Other.
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