Teasdale is ruled out as injuries mount up
THE objective is for Raiders to be top of the tree over the festive period but Jordan Reynolds’ Christmas wish is for his growing injury list to clear up.
Yesterday the Guernsey head coach was not in a position to name his side to travel to Brighton Blues tomorrow and reported that Tom Teasdale has joined the queue for the treatment room after tearing his hamstring in training on Tuesday night.
The youngster is likely to be sidelined for up to six weeks.
‘We are being tested with injuries,’ Reynolds said.
‘We are nine backs down at the moment, which is pretty similar to how we were last year, but this time around we have got guys able to step in and fix it for us. The pack is really strong at the moment, though, which is great for us.’
With Christmas Day falling in midweek, it also means the clubs in London & South-East Premier have just the one weekend off after tomorrow’s round of fixtures before resuming their programme on the first Saturday in January so there is not much chance to rest.
However, Reynolds is philosophical about the situation, defiantly saying that whatever team he puts out tomorrow ‘will give it our best shot’.
Brighton currently sit 13th in the 14-team league having won two and drawn two of their 13 games so far.
One of their nine defeats game on the Footes Lane Club Pitch in September, when the refurbishment of the athletics track prevented Raiders from starting their campaign in front of the Garenne Stand.
The green-and-whites emerged 22-7 victors that day, picking up the four-try bonus point as Joe Andresen, Luke Sayer, Brad Webb and Cameron Craine all touched down.
That game was played in bright sunshine, in stark contrast to the conditions Reynolds expects to face tomorrow.
‘It’s supposed to be pouring with rain, so it will be an extremely tough game and will level the playing field between the sides.
‘Brighton are pretty physical and in those conditions the contact area will come into play even more, that is why we have to select wisely to make sure we can cope with that.
‘If we can get through this game with a win and a bonus point, that would be fantastic going into Christmas.’
While Guernsey are playing Brighton, second-placed Rochford Hundred face the tough trip to Hertford while previous leaders Wimbledon, who were overtaken when their game was postponed last week, host CS Stags 1863.
