LES QUENNEVAIS Sharks go into their most important game of the season with half a dozen of their players out through injury or on holiday.
For Sunday’s semi-final of the Hampshire Plate away at Millbrook, near Southampton, former Hampshire player Simon Gilley, Scott Barnes and Brian Walsh are injured, while others, including captain Nick Durbano, are out of the Island.It is hoped that Durbano will arrive from France in time for the game, which will severely test a Les Quennevais team which has only come good in previous rounds of this county competition, including their 24-13 win against Sandown and Shanklin in the quarter-finals.Vice-captain Gary Rousseau said: ‘They’ve a big pack and a stand-off who runs the show.
They’ll play a kicking game, into the corners, trying to win line-out ball and rumble the ball over.’I've heard that it’s a heavy pitch, which won’t suit us, but if our pack wins enough ball, I’m happy with our threes.’They will need to be at their defensive best against Millbrook, too, because for both teams this represents their only real chance of ending this season with silverware of note.
Millbrook are eighth in the Hampshire League Division I, while the Sharks finished third from bottom of the JRA Emeraude Lines League.In the other semi-final, Fareham Heathens, fourth in Hampshire Division I, take on Alresford, top of Hampshire Division II.Les Quennevais: Andy Hicklin, Howard Phillips, Steve Carter, Nick Durbano, Richard Vetier, Bill Green, Roy Le Lièvre, Mike Hawkins, William Church, Gary Rousseau, Matt Smith, Luke Haylen, Dave Marsh, Charlie Gallichan, Steve Mee.
Replacements: Jim Brimelow, Gareth Jeffreys, Andy Morgan, Richie Briffa, Alex Walker, Darren O’Brien, Peter Deffains.Jersey’s Ross Allan and Josh Chamier are both in action for Hampshire under-20s rugby side this weekend.Following their outstanding victory over Middlesex a fortnight ago which gave them the chance to progress to the last four of the Tetley’s Under-20 County Championship, Hampshire must turn in a similar performance if they are to overturn the odds on Sunday afternoon.All they must do is beat Surrey by more than 30 points, and hope that Middlesex overturn Sussex at home in a close contest to go through.Hampshire sit third in the group with a points difference of plus-two.They may rue the two tries they conceded late on in the match against the Londoners.
It was such a turn-round after the miserable showing against Sussex, when they lost 11-3 in awful conditions.
But on a dry day and with a much-changed side, Hampshire excelled, especially in the backs.Debut-making winger Anthony Allen, on the fringes of the England under-19 side, was outstanding, as were Neil McGovern and Jersey centre Allan.Manager Peter Allen said: ‘We need good conditions so that we can throw the ball around and open the gaps as Surrey begin to weaken.
We have our fingers crossed for a Middlesex win by one point plus 40 points for us.
‘Then this side will have the opportunity to show what it can really do.’JERSEY Wanderers aren’t intending to do Guernsey 2nds any favours in the game which will decide who wins this season’s JRA Emeraude Lines League at St Peter on Sunday.They know that if they win, Beeches win the league; if the visitors win, they win the league.’I'm really looking forward to it,’ said Wanderers captain John Creavy.
‘I’ve got a soft spot for the Beeches, having played for them when I first left school.
There’s also the friendly inter-insular rivalry to consider.
I’d like to keep the title in the Island.’Despite problems earlier in the season, when players were away or injured and team selection could be something of a nightmare, Wanderers’ team for this final league match is full of talent - mature talent, perhaps, but none the worse for that.Steve Byrne comes back on to the wing after being out for most of the season, while his fellow threequarters have all played for the JRFC’s 1st XV in the past or, in Ian Troy’s case, late last year.The pack, too, is full of experience and the back five, depending on the pace of the game, should secure good ball for the backs to run in.’We always come good at this time of the year,’ said Creavy, ‘and it will be good preparation for the three trophies we can still win: the Macmillan, the Doug Tranter Plate and Siam Cup weekend.’Team: Simon Cooper, Martin Nozedar, Dave Clark, Scott Spencer, John Heslam, Clive Russell, Heath Abbott, Tony Sargeant, Jerry Willis, John Creavy (captain), Guy Hinks, Stewart Barrow, Steve Byrne, Mick Mayo, Ian Troy.
Article posted on 27th February, 2004 - 12.00am
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