by Kevin Redsull

Sheppey Rugby Club coach Pete Olliver is confident his search for a new scrum-half will soon be over.

Olliver expects Carl Zacarow to sign in the next few days after he impressed in Saturday’s Park House 10s competition at Hayes, where Sheppey reached the semi-finals of the plate competition.

Zacarow, who is the captain of Medway Dragons Rugby League club, scored two tries and kicked two conversions during Sheppey’s four matches on the day.

Olliver (pictured) said: "Andy Hosken, our director of rugby, had a chat with Carl at the end of the tournament and there’s a good chance he will sign for us."

The other good news for Olliver is that fly-half Martin Robinson has changed his mind about leaving the club to rejoin Deal & Betteshanger.

The Sheppey coach said: "I knew Martin was a bit unsure about whether he was doing the right thing and I’ve managed to persuade him to have another go with us in a higher league following our promotion (from Kent 1)."

With former Ashford outside-centre Bill Bright also making his debut at Park House, it means Sheppey will be well stocked with threequarters when they begin their London 3 South East campaign at Eastbourne on September 10.

This Sunday Sheppey host the Danny Boy Trust Charity Sevens tournament, with the first match kicking-off at 11am. Among the guests will be Rachael Burford, the England Women’s rugby international from Medway.