The women had splendidly won their game by 41-12 and the veterans had won back the Nash Cup by 33-10 and in the 'big one', Jordan Reynolds men were hanging onto a narrow lead, having led 14-13 at the interval.

But, sadly, it was not to be.

Jersey's extra physicality and professional conditioning finally took its toll on a worn-out home side and in the closing stages went over for three tries to hold onto the cup by a 33-19 score-line.

It had been a brilliant effort by our lads and the new qualifying rules certainly brought the team's closer and we will never know what might have happened if our superb stand-off, Owen Thomas, had not been lost to a suspected fractured ankle just before half-time.

Up until then he had been hugely influential as he and the rest of the home midfield consistently punched holes in the centre of the Jersey defence.

Guernsey had fallen behind to an early Penberthy penalty and it might have been worse had he landed two more, but we survived and 20 minutes in Cameron Craine dived over, Thomas converted, and we led 7-3.

Shortly after Ned Brown also crashed through to score another try and with Thomas kicking the extras the score was 14-3.

By half time Jersey had pegged it back to a one-point game, but early in the second half Sam Whitehead scored a third try which he was just unable to convert.

We held onto the lead until deep into the game but an exhausted side finally crumbled.

As for the women Chris Griffiths got the 'big win' he had demanded as the Guernsey Ladies racked up their fifth straight Siam success.

Guernsey were in control from the third minute when after incessant attacking from the first whistle Chelsie Blondel dived over.

Our lead was extended to 12 when stand-off Fiona Ashworth punished some poor tackling and ran 25m to score for a try converted by Crouse.

Just before the half-hour was up Heidi Mahy powered in to score from close range, but on the verge of half time Jersey got the score they had been working hard for and it followed a 5m lineout which they utilised perfectly that Laura Poingdestre completed the push for the line and then converted the score from the right of the posts.

For much of the first half Carly Parrott had seen little ball, but the second period was still in its infancy when she finally got to exploit her terrific pace.

It was a superb score, the full-back collecting the ball deep in her own half before taking on an initially diagonal run of 40m and then going into overdrive down the stand side touchline which left the Jersey defence wanting.

Crouse converted and eight minutes later Parrott went over again as Guernsey spun the ball from right to left and the No. 15 finished perfectly.

Crouse again added the extras and at 29-5 ahead the cup was already won.

To their great credit Jersey refused to capitulate and were rewarded with a Corbett try converted by Poigndestre, but it was Guernsey who completed the day's scoring with Crouse on the end of a big close-range push from her forwards and then Donaldson racing over down the left.

Guernsey's veteran forward Heidi Mahy was named player of the match.

The home victory was their second of the morning after the Veterans regained the Nash Cup in some style, winning 33-10.

Crucial to the victory was not only the first veterans appearance for Nick Barton, but the midfield running of the likes of Jim Elliott, Andy Bailey and another 1st XV skipper, Carl Johnson.

Bailey helped himself to two tries and there were also scores from Johnson, Jim Rowe and Mike Smith.

Jersey claimed the Fallaize Cup second team honours in some style, winning 47-12, the home try scorers being Jim Regnard and Callum Murdoch.