GUERNSEY: 2 PM KICK-OFF

After a tight first 40 minutes last week we came out in the second half and controlled the game, scoring 31 points and, if not for a lapse in concentration in the last minute, would have kept North Walsham scoreless in the same period. Our focus was to control the ball better than we had in the last three games and this was much improved, allowing us to build pressure and return to scoring some really good tries. Our maul was back to producing points and Nathan Morris is now up to an impressive fifteen tries for the season, the 6th best in the league and Frank Reynolds remains the highest points scorer with 226.

I have been talking to the players about the importance of results at the “business end” of the season and we are poised to improve on last year’s 10th place finish, but in this league nothing is given and we will have to continue to collect results from the last five games. Guernsey have found their stride after a challenging start to the season, winning four from the last six and tomorrow will be a tough encounter with both sides on the hunt for points. It’ an earlier than usual kick-off at 2pm.

Jesse De Vries has again been called into the Netherlands squad for their rugby Europe Championship 5th place final, match at Stade Française stadium in Paris. They are facing Germany and we wish him all the best in the final game of this year’s tournament.

The Pilgrims unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday, spanning 18 games which is an incredible achievement. The team was disappointed with the performance they put in against a Crowborough team that has only lost once at home this season. There is no time for us to feel sorry for ourselves as there is still a league title on the line, with one more win all that is needed to get the job done. Ashford travel to the Marine travel ground on Saturday and they won’t want to give up the points we need, so the team will have to bounce back and return to the level of performance that has been on show all season

Matt Corker Head Coach