Match Preview

St Jacques Vikings have only three league games remaining this season, and as they enter the climax of the season they remain in title contention, however they cannot afford to slip up. The first of these three massive games takes place on Saturday, the penultimate time the Vikings will run out in front of their home supporters this season, as they host Worthing Azurians at the KGV.

The awful weather conditions nicknamed the ‘beast from the east’ has hampered training efforts in the building up this clash, therefore the Vikings are going into the match having had the week off training but their coaching team will be expecting this to not affect the performance on Saturday. The Vikings come into the match after an excellent away victory over Newick two weeks ago, and will hope to continue their solid defensive work that shone though on that occasion again this week, whilst being clinical & ruthless in attack.

The visitors are the wholly amateur side of Worthing Raiders (1st XV are in National Two South) who could in fact being playing Guernsey Raiders next season if they continue on their path for promotion from London & South-East Premier. The Azurians currently sit fifth in the league table coming into the match, and are a good side who took the Vikings close when the teams last met back in October. On that occasion the Vikings won 17-22, narrowly avoiding defeat with some committed defence against a spirited Worthing who smelt blood. On Saturday at the KGV the black and yellows will be hoping for a much more straight forward result to keep their slim title winning challenge going.

Vikings Head Coach Steve Melbourne has named a strong side with a youthful edge ahead of the clash, which sees five Guernsey Colts included in the squad.

The front row is unchanged from the side which defeated Newick, along with the Smith brothers in the second row. Both Mitchell & his younger brother Jacob have been in fine form this season for the Vikings, producing consistent performances every week in attack, defence & at the set piece. Against Newick both players were everywhere, including linking up in the wide channels for the Mitchell’s try demonstrating excellent handling. They know the job is not done and another fine performance from the pair will be needed this week.

The back row is largely unchanged, however James Regnard may well start on the bench as he has been struggling with a minor injury the past couple of weeks, and if that is the case Alfie Penney will start at Number 8, with Alex Lock & Tom Rihoy on the flanks. The Colts half-back pairing of Ben Holland & Tom Teasdale start, and both are very impressive young players with massive futures ahead of them. They will be expected to run the Vikings attack in the right way regardless of the weather conditions, and build phases to create scoring opportunities. Callum Gladstone continues in the centres, and Johan Greenberg switches from scrum-half to outside centre, a position he is very accustomed too. Versatile back Alec Bailey is unavailable this week whilst the exciting equally versatile Connor Sullivan is likely to take a place on the bench after missing the Newick match. Taylor Quate switches back to fullback from outside centre, and is joined on the wings by Leon Collenette & Cashel Cahill.

On the bench primed to make an impact will be James Mroch, James Regnard, John le Noury, Matt Creber, Connor Sullivan & Billy Wickham.

Kick off at the KGV is 1.30pm