Sheppey beat Maidstone in October's reverse fixture

Sheppey Rugby Club are mourning the loss of their former captain and chairman Dave Neal, who passed away on Sunday after a long illness.

Neil Golding, the club’s chairman, paid tribute to his predecessor, who had been a hugely influential figure.

He said: “On and off the field Dave was a true ambassador for the club and a really nice guy who will be missed by us all.

“Without Neal’s contribution to rugby on the island it’s unlikely Sheppey would still be playing rugby.

“It was Dave’s dedication and determination that kept the club going through some of the club’s more difficult and darker days,” the statement continued.

“As a man he was hugely respected by friends from within the club as well as from many other clubs and the wider county community.”

On the field, the Islanders, whose losing streak was extended to five games with a 22-3 defeat to Horsham last weekend, will attempt to complete the double over Maidstone in London 3 South East on Saturday. Sheppey won the reverse fixture between the side 17-5 in October.

Sheppey, ninth in the table, were 12-0 down at the break to Horsham, but despite having the better of conditions in the second half they managed a solitary penalty before the visitors pulled away.

In Kent 1, Sittingbourne, in seventh, are at home to ninth-placed HSBC, after scraping a 21-20 win at Guy’s Hospital, the division’s bottom side, last week.

Photo by BOB HAYTON