Vikings
Matches
Sat 30 Nov 2019
Guernsey St Jacques Vikings
Vikings
Tries: T Quate, L Barker, D Bellingham, J SmithConversions: M Lomas (2)
24
25
Maidenhead

Match Preview

James Mroch29 Nov 2019 - 10:53
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https://www.stjacquesrfc.co.uk

Improvement and performance, that is the message from St Jacques Vikings Head Coach Ray Smart, as his side prepare to face Maidenhead at the KGV on Saturday afternoon.

The Vikings have had a week off after their 29-20 victory over Ealing Trailfinders U23’s two weeks ago, and have prepared well to face the team immediately above them in the league.

Maidenhead are a very established club, with a youth system that has produced several international and professional stars including former England and British & Irish Lion James Haskell, professional prop Paul Doran-Jones and Max & Thom Evans who both played for Scotland on many occasions. Former England Rugby World Cup winner Will Greenwood is also their current backs coach, so a well drilled side with good skills is expected.

For the Vikings, head coach Ray Smart is keen for his side to keep focusing on improving, rather than the result.

He said: “For me performance is more important rather than results at the moment, we are continuing to develop and that is the key measure we need to focus on, can we improve our performance or bring something new to our game each time we play?”

“It looks like Maidenhead are having a similar season to us so far, and as we know from our experience they will have earned the wins and close games they’ve had. We expect a tough game today, and we’ve given the opposition the respect they deserve by putting a lot of effort into our preparation. As ever we hope to see that result in a good performance and an enjoyable game today.” added Smart.

The Vikings have been able to name arguably one of their strongest squads this season, which includes for the second time this term Layton Batiste at prop, and also sees the return of the highly thought after Leon Collenette on the wing.

Batiste will add further firepower up front for the Vikings, which has been an area of strength this season with fellow prop Darrin Bellingham excelling for the Vikings, and is their current top try scorer.

The return of Leon Collenette is also a big boost, as the talented back has developed massively over the past few seasons, and with Taylor Quate back at full-back and also scrum-half Lucas Barker returning to the side after scoring his debut try for the Raiders last weekend the Vikings backs look to have real threats throughout.

Callum Gladstone had an excellent game for the Vikings two weeks ago, and he will be hoping to build on his partnerships with Matt Lomas and also Dave Davison.

Whilst up front the fairly settled second-row pairing of Tom Creed and Dave Harvey will provide strong ball carrying options, along with stalwart James Regnard and the ever present Mitch Smith.

The Vikings will be hope they can continue their good bout of form and secure an important victory at the KGV on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 2pm!

KGV Playing Fields

KGV Playing Fields

Rue Cohu
Castel
Guernsey
GY5 7TQ

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Match details

Match date

Sat 30 Nov 2019

Kickoff

14:00
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Bronze Sponsor - Deloitte
Player Sponsor - Barber Jay
Player Sponsor - Sacred Hand Tattoo
Player Sponsor  - Specsavers
Player Sponsor - Grant Thornton
Player sponsor  - Raise The Bar Fitness
Player Sponsor - GFF
Player Sponsor - Collas Crill
Player Sponsor - JW Rihoy & Son
Shirt Sponsor - Ravenscroft Stockbroking & Investment Management
Sponsor  - Granite Le Pelley