This Is Guernsey

By Gareth Le Prevost

DARREN JONES is set to make a comeback in Guernsey colours. The Welsh flanker, affectionately known by his teammates as Billy, left the island to return to his homeland in mid-October.

But Andy Bailey was delighted to reveal this week that Jones is back on island and although he is unavailable for today’s trip to Tottonians, his return will no doubt be a boost to a squad still pushing for promotion from London Three South-West.

‘As far as I understand it, he is here for the foreseeable future,’ said the Guernsey captain.

‘We also have a new Kiwi second row called Jason Cudby, so we have now got some serious strength in depth.

‘Divon [Crouse] has also played a couple of games for the Seconds having recovered from his broken collarbone, so he is back in the mix as well.’

But there are two sides to every coin.

Young lock Dave Harvey, who had become one of the first names on the teamsheet, has gone travelling and Dylan Chatterton has returned to New Zealand for the present due to family reasons.

Jim Elliott has work commitments meaning that he will also miss this afternoon’s clash.

Those losses meant that naming the starting XV for today was delayed as the management team took time in training to look at various combinations in the backline.

One option would be for Cameron Patten, who played fullback in the victory over Effingham & Leatherhead two weeks ago, to revert to the centre and perhaps partner Ben Le Huray.

Whatever line-up is chosen, Bailey is confident of maintaining momentum in what on paper should be Guernsey’s hardest away match remaining in their schedule.

‘The defence was very strong in the last game and our discipline was good as well and they are key areas in these wet conditions,’ he said.

‘This is a very big game. Tottonians are a typical team in this league with a very good forward pack.

‘With it being wet and windy, it is not going to be a very high scoring game. It is about making hard yards and playing a good tactical kicking game. Fortunately for us, Jordy [Reynalds] is in superb form.’