Guernsey’s champions have won the past two encounters against OVs, who admit to being rather ring-rusty as the top club match in CI hockey approaches.
The Jersey champions have not played a competitive game together for over two months and most of the squad are desperately short of match practice.
Furthermore they come straight from a heavy defeat at the hands of a JHA Select XI in a friendly last Sunday.
The Upton, however, should be a different story with the young squad desperate to avenge not only two recent narrow defeats to Colombians, but also this season’s inter-insular result.
OVs have a strong squad although they are without forwards Gordon Hunt and Jon Cartmell.
Their absence forces Robin Le Quesne or Bobby Minty, midfielders all season, to play up front.
This will put added pressure on the likes of Mark Dicker, Joe Crill and Mike James to and create the chances necessary to beat Colombians ‘keeper Kees Jager, who has been in impressive form in recent encounters.
OVs are also without the organisational skills of Danny Bower, but still field a solid-looking defence with Island ‘keeper, Garret O’Brien and sweeper Tony Ray joined in the squad by Steve Osmont, Ross Collins, Tom Wherry and Tom Minty.
The Upton starts at 10.30 this Saturday morning at Les Quennevais.
OVs squad: Garret O’Brien, Tony Ray, Steve Osmont, Ross Collins, Tom Wherry, Tom Minty, Bobby Minty, Joe Crill, Mark Dicker, Mike James, Steve Ritzema, Robin Le Quesne, Matt Smith, Rich Finch.
