But it will be most remembered for a show of real character by the Raiders 1st XV who held off strong resistance from a plucky and under-rated Westcliff side, to win 24-15 and move up to fifth in the still young National Three London & SE table and in the mix for the four promotion spots.

Malcolm Barnes ultimately settled the issue, coming off the bench for an injured Luke Sayer to to win it with a converted try late on.
Glen Walters, restored to the No. 10 shirt in the absence of Owen Thomas, enjoyed a very fine game and kicked four penalties as well as landing a conversion, while Sam Stables scored the Raiders’ other try.

Westcliff worryingly led 15-14 midway through the second half but the lads dug deep and came through to win for the fourth time this season.

A little earlier, Guernsey were giving gentle introduction to their newest recruit in the 2nd team friendly between Raiders and Westcliff on the old club pitch at Footes Lane.

Playing in the No. 7 role, Australian Eamon Chapman, who had been playing at Scarborough, scored a try and alongside the experienced Jim Regnard, gave the home team pack a strong footing in the battle of the forwards in an entertaining and largely free-flowing contest which ended 41-31 in the Raiders' favour.

It is fair to say that attacks dominated a match that was still wide open until late on Jason Batiste scored an opportunistic self-made try which was converted by Matt Armstrong late on.

Westcliff hit back with one more try of their own but Luis Buesnoz ensured victory with his own late score.

The Raiders 2nds had looked destined for a big win as they raced into an early 17-0 lead courtesy of two tries from the young fly half Taylor Quate and one from Regnard.

Jason Batiste failed to convert either of the first two but Armstrong added the extras with the third score and he had added another by half time as Callum Gladstone scored the home side's fourth try for a 22-12 lead after Westcliff had scored two of their own and threatened more.

Early in the second Westcliff got back to within five at 19-24, before Chapman went over as a result of Regnard's fine work.

Westcliff came again and at 29-26 it was anyone's game, but Batiste's lovely dink and catch over the defence settled the home side and Armstrong's extras all but killed off Westcliff.

In the first match of the day the pace and elusive feet of the visiting Tonbridge Ladies proved too much for Chris Griffiths’ Ladies squad who lost 52-17.

The speed of the Tonbridge backs were causing problems from very early on and, in particular, the fly-half Charlotte Blockwell.

Just two minutes in Tonbridge chose to run a penalty on the Guernsey 22m line and after several phases, including a lineout close to the line, Blockwell scored from close range and using a drop-kick technique, kicked the extras from in front of the posts.
Guernsey' response was spirited but managed to lose possession close to the visitors' line and the speedy scrum half Heike Niemond raced fully 100 yards to score a fine opportunistic try which Blockwell converted from in front of the posts, this time with the normal technique.

Before long it was 21-0 as Blockwell swapped passes with centre Ellie Duley and the No. 10 went over for a try which she converted herself for a 21-0 lead, soon to become 26 as full-back Taylor raced clear to score in the corner.

This was fast becoming a disaster for the home team, but their spirit was very commendable and just before half-time Fiona Power dived over from close range and Jemma Crouse converted for a 26-7 half time score.

But any hopes of a turnaround were soon snuffed out by impressive scores from distance for Duley, Gregory and player of the match Blockwell, before in the closing moments Guernsey added 10 points courtesy of two tries.

To their enormous credit our Ladies kept going right til the final whistle and they have to believe there are better days ahead soon.