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Vikings
Matches
Sat 25 Mar 2023  ·  Counties 3 Hampshire
Overton
31
52
Guernsey St Jacques Vikings
Vikings
Tries: S Ferry, K Creber (4), D Rutledge, M Lomas-Lloyd, M Smith Conversions: M Lomas-Lloyd (7)

Match Preview

James Mroch24 Mar 2023 - 16:14

For the final time this league season, Ray Smart’s Counties Three Hampshire champions will take to field tomorrow. They travel to Overton looking to secure the final victory to complete an impressive unbeaten season.

The Vikings were nowhere near their best as they tackled Gosport & Fareham seconds last weekend, but they know they must be better for this week's encounter. Overton will want to end the season on a high, and the scalp of the Sarnian side will be a huge motivation for them.

Earlier in the season the two sides fought out a friendly at Footes Lane after Overton could not field an eligible side, the Vikings won the friendly but the visitors that day certainly caused a few issues. Smart will be hoping there is no such repeat this week.

Vikings Captain Matt Lomas returns to lead the team out for the final time this season, he will play at full-back.

Cashel Cahill makes his first appearance of the season, the Vikings stalwart was an ever present figure in seasons gone by, and he steps up with several of the regulars unavailable or injured.

Tom Veillard is required by the Guernsey Raiders this week, but Lucas Barker returns following an ankle injury. He will play in the centres with Cahill.

Steering the Vikings ship at fly-half is Gearoid Lee, the electric playmaker has been in superiors form this second half of the season, and he will likely have an important role to play tomorrow.

Fresh from scoring the winner in the Guernsey Hockey Men's 2nd XI inter-insular last weekend, the multitalented Sam Ferry returns on the wing. Top Vikings try-scorer Kieran Creber starts on the opposite wing.

In the forwards, Josh Collin makes his second appearance at prop. He made a strong start to life in a Vikings jersey last week and gets another opportunity to impress tomorrow. Michael Smith returns to the side to partner with him, along with Phil Le Noury.

James Mroch and Corey Wallis are rotated to the bench this week. This will be Mroch’s 50th appearance for the Vikings when he enters play.

Tom Creed is also needed by the Raiders this week, so Jacob Smith and Keiran Williamson continue in the second-row. Mitchell Smith completes the trio of 'Smith brothers' at number-8, with Chris Croft and Alex Lock joining him. In the case of Lock, this is his first game his since October, following work commitments restricting his availability.

This is one last test for the black & yellows, let's hope they can answer it to complete the most remarkable of seasons!

The match kicks-off at 1pm, and you can follow the game live on our Instagram & Facebook stories.

Counties 3 Hampshire Fixtures

Sat 25 Mar 2023KO: TBC
Havant III
W
Gosport & Fareham II
L

Match details

Match date

Sat 25 Mar 2023

Kickoff

13:00

Competition

Counties 3 Hampshire

League position

1
Guernsey St Jacques Vikings
5
Overton
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Primary Sponsor - HFL
Player Sponsor - Sacred Hand Tattoo
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Sponsor  - Granite Le Pelley