Revenge is on the cards for Raiders

Raiders suffered a 36-21 away to the Oxfordshire-based side earlier in the season and the National 2 South table-toppers are eager to put that right.

Worthing’s home match with Lydney on Saturday was postponed as the visitors could not travel from Gloucestershire for the game, which meant coach Kieron Dawson gave the players a day off.

His thoughts have now turned to Chinnor and he said: “We will be looking for revenge as the defeat at their place still rankles with us.

“On paper, it was a game we should have won. Chinnor lost at Barking earlier this month, so I don’t know if that’s an indication of how much Barking have improved or how frustrating it was for us to lose to them.”

Dawson is looking for Raiders to go through the season unbeaten at home, after eight wins from eight games so far this season at Roundstone Lane.

He said: “It’s very important to keep winning at home and, if we can get a win from our two Cornish trips, that would be a great return.

“We’ve got a massive month coming up and we’ve just got to stay committed and remain focused.

“It was frustrating that the game was off on Saturday as the pitch would have been playable and it means we don’t have a week off for the rest of the season, so it’s going to be a tough run-in.

“But I’m sure it was just as frustrating for other teams and Lydney won’t be relishing coming to us later in the year.”

Raiders have a near full-strength squad available on Saturday, with injured duo Darren Clayton and Matt McLean the only absentees.

Sam Hewick could come back into the squad after he played for the Raiders A team in their last match.

Dawson also hailed Harry Sloan’s call-up into the England under-20 squad and said: “It’s great for Harry and he has got a great rugby career ahead of him as he’s been fantastic for us all year and Jordan Burns also trained with the squad.

“Hopefully, this will open the door for more players to come on loan down here.”

Every game in National 2 South was postponed on Saturday, which keeps Raiders two points clear of Henley.