by Alex Hoad

Sheppey have pulled off a major transfer coup with the capture of National League player Steve Croall.

The born-and-bred Islander played for Sheppey until he was 17 before leaving to pursue a career which has seen him play regularly in the second and third tiers of the national game.

Now 25, the Kent prop has rejoined his local club from National 1 side Cambridge after two spells at Westcombe Park and time at London Welsh and Rotherham, whom he helped gain promotion to the Guinness Premiership.

Director of rugby Andy Hosken said: "He was not really happy at Cambridge and the travelling up there from his home on the Island four or five times a week was getting a bit much.

"By joining us he can have a bit of a life outside of rugby as well."

Hosken added: "We have lost our best players to bigger teams like Harlequins and Blackheath in the past – it’s nice to finally have one coming the other way."

Croall is likely to go straight into the side for the trip to Cranbrook in Kent 1 on Saturday, subject to paperwork being completed.

The Islanders can go into the match with some confidence after recording their first win of the season with a 13-0 success over Surrey 3 outfit Merton in the EDF Energy Junior Vase at The Ditch last Saturday.