Cup idea mooted by NCA

But as the Raiders prepare for the second match of the Buccaneers v. Corsairs three-match ‘Test’ series on Saturday, Guernsey’s director of rugby Jordan Reynolds admits that is it a double-edged sword only being able to watch his best players in action against each other.

The National Clubs Association, who administer the National Leagues which Raiders were due to compete in this campaign, have revealed in the last week that a ballot of their clubs proved to be against a 15-match league season due to the ongoing coronavirus restrictions and that a cup competition with finals at ‘prestige locations’ is one alternative option being considered.

‘This would give players and spectators incentives, but also encourage commercial partners to remain involved throughout the second half of the season,’ said NCA chairman John Inverdale, who added that a definite decision on what kind of a season lies ahead should come within the next fortnight.

In response, Reynolds suggested that even that cup idea would be a non-starter.

‘Personally I can’t see the point of it,’ he said.

‘[The whole situation] is a shame with the squad we have put together this season.

‘If we can keep this group together, though, it is an exciting prospect when we can play again.’

As for the second in-house ‘Test’ match on Saturday, which kicks off at 2pm as the feature event of another day-long festival of rugby at Footes Lane, the Buccaneers must win to take the series to a decider.

‘We do not need to have much rain, but if it’s wet, it will change the skill-set required to win the game and if the wind is up, it will change the game-plans dramatically, so it should be interesting.

‘Hopefully the physicality will be just the same as the first game, though,’ said Reynolds.