Match Preview

‘No more room for slip ups’, that is the message coming out of the St Jacques Vikings camp ahead of their home match with Winchester seconds this weekend.

After suffering a narrow 24-19 loss two weeks ago away to United Services Portsmouth, Ray Smart’s side need to secure a win this weekend to keep their hopes of promotion from Counties Two Hampshire alive.

That most recent loss was a bitter pill to swallow, as the Sarnian side had led for most of the match, but a strong resurgence from the home side in the final quarter saw them clinch it. The Vikings had plenty of chances to be further ahead in that match, but failed to take them, a mistake they will not want to repeat at home on Saturday.

With Ray Smart away on holiday this week, assistant coach Alec Bailey will lead the side, and he is looking for improvement from the side.

He said: “When we faced US Portsmouth two weeks ago, we created lots of chances in the first half, but we only took one of them. We have to be more clinical when we create opportunities and take them. Otherwise teams in this league can punish us, as we found out.”

“This weekend we have to execute those opportunities, and remain calm and composed when under pressure. I am hoping to see a response from the side this week.” Added Bailey

The visitors this week are well known to St Jacques, having been promoted with them from Counties Three. Earlier in the season they contested a narrow affair, which the Vikings won 29-27, but it required a comeback in the final quarter to secure the victory. Since then ‘Winch’ has had a series of mixed results and find themselves safely settled in mid-table, but the black and yellows are not taking the challenge they pose lightly.

The good news for the Vikings is several important players return to the squad, and they also hand a debut for an exciting new addition to the squad.

Both Joe Le Roux and Taylor Quate are again available, having missed the last game. In Le Roux's case he has been absent since sustaining a head injury against Tottonians back in January. They will make up the centre partnership this week.

Dan de Kock is the new face in the side, the former Guernsey Raider also played to a very high level in South Africa in his junior years, and after some time away has returned to the local rugby scene. He starts at hooker, and he is joined by JP Phelan and Tom Bray in the front row.

This will be Bray's 50th appearance for the Vikings, having joined as a Colt in 2018, he has now gone on to be one of the mainstays of the side, and a cornerstone of the forward pack.

Tom Creed is also available this week and he plays in the second row. He partners with Jacob Smith, who also returns having been unavailable last week. His return is another boost for the side, with his carrying abilities being a vital attacking threat.

In the back row, Tom Yarwood returns having been on the bench for Raiders last week, and and Chris Croft starts this weekend, having been amongst the replacements two weeks ago. Mitch Smith joins them at no 8.

Dan Rice plays at fly-half aiming to pull the strings on attack. His backs contingent is made up of Sam Clarke and Kieran Creber on the wings, and captain Matt Lomas at fullback.

The game kicks off at 12pm on the Garenne Stand, with Guernsey Raiders against Dorking following at 2pm.

Guernsey Ladies are also in action on the club pitch at 1pm against Farnham, fresh after securing their first win of the season last week.

There is free live music in the clubhouse in the evening, with The Crown & Chancre performing from 6pm.