Strong start followed by silly mistakes

The scoreline was not pretty, but let’s be positive, we are not bottom of the pile.

Our pack is really excelling in these early weeks of the season and in the face of an injury crisis which surely will ease soon, the strength of 1 to 8 offers great encouragement for the weeks and months ahead.

But... this is not all about injuries.

If the side continue to ignore the fact that ball retention and decision making under pressure is killing their game plan it is going to be a very long season.

These errors are basic bread and butter at this level. Bury thrived off the Raiders mistakes but looked out of sorts when Guernsey had control of the ball.

And yet it had started all so well.

Raiders scored within two minutes of the start through through a catch and drive into the corner for Tom Ceillam to score. The conversion was missed but Raiders were ahead.

Straight from the kick off the home side retrieved the ball and with their forwards and backs combining, a chip over the Raiders back line saw the Bury St E. backs score.

The try was converted and the home side were 7-5 in front and soon flying.

In no time they had secured a further four tries, one converted, for a 29-5 lead.

Mercifully, Raiders eventually stemmed the flow and scored with another catch and drive move, this time with Charlie Currie coming up with the ball and the score converted by Alex Gow.

But again the joy was shortlived. Straight from the kickoff the home side retrieved the ball and scored a converted try. Then another sloppy Raiders pass was intercepted and Bury cantered in for another try for a 41-12 lead.

For the opening 20 minutes of the second half the Raiders produced a fine spell of attacking phases which Bury had no answer to.

Eventually the green and whites drove their way over the Bury line for Nick Merrien to score. Alex Gow converted again and it was 41-19.

Frustratingly, Raiders then continued to self destruct with poor ball control and decision making allowing the Bury team to score another four tries, with one converted for a 63-19 advantage.

The Raiders eventually regrouped for Tom Ceillam to force his way over the line, with the try converted by Tom Teasdale who had taken over the kicking duties.

Raiders had secured a valuable bonus try point, but Bury had the last laugh, running in another converted try with the last play of the game.

On the plus side, Raiders saw Owen Clemett return to action off the bench and with a touch of luck the backline should be a touch stronger come this weekend when Redruth visit Footes Lane.