Match Preview

St Jacques Vikings get their league campaign underway in 2018 on Saturday away to Rye RFC.

The black and yellows who currently sit top of Sussex Division Two, had their top of the table clash against Plumpton postponed last week due to a waterlogged KGV pitch. Having not played competitively since early December, they are looking forward to getting back into the action.

Rye currently sit ninth out of the ten teams in the division, and were the first visitors to the KGV this season. The Vikings were victorious 76-5 on that occasion, and since Rye have won only twice. However the Vikings will not be taking this trip lightly knowing full well that their opposition tend to perform much better at home than away in Guernsey. Whilst the Vikings have performed well on most occasions this season, they are aware they still have a lot to do in their development, and have yet to produce an 80 minute performance.

Steve Melbourne has named a side he hopes can finally produce the compete performance this season. James Mroch is due to start in the front row, along with Cally Murdoch and Alan Myers. The Smith brothers resume in the second row, both having played exceptionally well this season, and Melbourne will be hoping they can continue their good form. In the back row, Captain Leon Gardner moves from hooker to openside and is joined by Luke Skovronek . Jim Regnard competes the pack at number 8, and will provide as ever his strong running which he is known so well for locally, along with vital leadership.

Ben Holland and is unavailable, therefore Johan Greenberg will play at scrum half partnered by Alec Bailey at flyhalf who has now recovered from the head injury he suffered against Newick. In the centres Callum Gladstone and Gearoid Lee who is back from university pair up, whilst Leon Collenette misses out this week through injury. On the wings Cashel Cahill starts, joined by Connor Sullivan, and the strong and speedy Taylor Quate is at his preferred fullback position.

Lee Miller, Billy Wickham and Colt Matt Creber are poised to add impact from replacements bench. Creber will be making his senior debut, and has been much talked as a serous talent, and one who could quickly find himself in a Guernsey Raiders Jersey.