BARNES STRESSES THE NEED FOR FOCUS
RAIDERS coach Jordan Reynolds hopes to make no more than two changes for the first home London & SE Premier game of the season on Saturday, but as scrum half Malcolm Barnes stressed ahead of Thursday night's training, it’s both the individual and collective head that needs to be right as Sutton & Epsom arrive.
While Barnes’ half-back partner Owen Thomas is rated slightly doubtful the only definite changes are that Jim Elliott comes into outside centre for the work-tied Ned Brown and Anthony Armstrong replaces Dale Martin on the wing, with Martin slotting back into the forwards. Luke Skovronek drops to the bench.
Sutton & Epson beat Barnes [the club] last weekend and that clearly demonstrates that Raiders face a tough task in the wind and expected rain on Saturday. The thrashing of Towcestrians will count for nothing, especially if Raiders fluff their lines in front of their home support.
Barnes knows that only too well.
‘We didn’t know what to expect from Towcestrians and went out played very well. We got a good result, but we were level-headed afterwards and the feet stayed firmly on the ground. We know how an away win first up would mean nothing if we came home and lost,’ he said.
‘Training has been reasonably focused this week and we are looking to back that up with a win.’
Reynolds has yet to formally name his starting team, but he knows what he would like it to be.
'We've got a couple of guys with niggles, so we will give them a couple more days,' said the coach who expects them all to recover against a side Raiders achieved a notable double over last season, winning 28-12 at Footes Lane and 31-22 away.
Reynolds has no qualms about reintroducing Elliott who has been around longer than the Garenne Stand and pushing 40.
'He keeps himself in ridiculously good shape,' said his coach.
'You bring him back once or twice a season and he always performs.'
The match kicks off at 2pm. Free entry for members and under 16's. £7 for non-members.
Possible starting XV and bench:
(1 to 15)
Sam Steventon, Tom Ceillam, Layton Batiste, Lewis Hillier (captain), Nick Merrien, Dale Martin, Dan Hill, Douglas Horrocks; Malcolm Barnes, Owen Thomas, Chris Ahne, Blair Campbell, Jim Elliott, Anthony Armstrong, Luke Sayer.
Replacements: Charlie Currie, Luke Skovronek and Kyle Brown.
Meanwhile, Vikings play their first match of the Sussex League 2 programme also on Saturday - away at St Francis.
As yet, there is no confirmed team news.
Also in the UK are the Guernsey Ladies, Chris Griffiths’ making their first appearance at Championship 2SW level is off island.
And although Kristine Vavere is away with Fi Ashworth experiencing the joys of triathlon and Carly Parrot is unavailable to travel, it is a good side that head to Drybrook Ladies.
That trio will be back for the first home game, but to offset their loss is the availability of Rachel Merrien, who has signed from Trojans and is sure to be a big boost for the team. This will also be the debut match for Chloe Williams, Lael Hollingworth, Shannon Brown and Roxanne Richards who are all likely to feature at some point.
The Ladies match kicks off at 3pm, at Drybrook. Please follow our Twitter and Facebook page for updates on how they get on.
Starting XV v Drybrook:
Kyla Rabey, Sophie O'Connell, Andrea Harris, Rachel Merrien, Michelle Schofield, Ellie Whittles, Fiona Power, Eleanor Woodward; Jemma Crouse (capt), Hannah Guilbert, Aimee Gaudion, Tanya Scholtz, Justeen Baker, Lael Hollingworth, Vicki Rang.
Replacements: Shannon Brown, Roxanne Richards, Janelly Le Maitre, Chloe Williams and Fiona Drape.