Raiders withstood a storming start by the visitors to be ahead and in relative control of the game at half-time and then press on and seal a bonus point win in the second period. Layton Batiste scored two tries and wingers Glen Walters and Dave Davison one apiece.

The coach seldom gets delirious, but he was particularly satisfied with this win and said that Lewis Hillier’s recovery was vital, ‘We gave him up to Saturday and he made a massive difference. He had a back twinge all week and was in a lot of discomfort. But we got him some treatment and we were able to get him out there. He is a big character for us at the moment and he was an absolute powerhouse for us.’

The significance of the win is that Raiders inch above Shelford and into sixth spot and within four points of fifth placed Hertford. It was a great result considering the absence of several first-team regulars such as Tom Ceillam, Matt Thomas and Ned Brown.

The visitors scored first through Lewis Dennett's penalty in the 10th minute, but Raiders got on the board with an opening try in the 26th minute courtesy of Walters.

Owen Thomas missed the conversion but the lead was extended when he kicked a penalty from on the 22 after half-an-hour. Just before the break Batiste crashed through to touch down to give the hosts a 13-3 half-time lead and they could look forward to having the wind behind them in the second half.

Batiste then went over for try number three early in the second period and the focus was now in achieving the bonus point. It eventually came courtesy of Davison who sprinted onto Adam Nixon's clever grubber kick.

Reynolds said that most things had fallen into place over the 80 minutes, 'From a game management point of view that was one of the best we have been able to do.’

He was also full of praise for young Nico Ashplant who played the whole 80 minutes at hooker, 'He has done a huge amount of work over the last six months and I have got high hopes for him. He has got the size now and now it’s all about education.’

TEAMS
Guernsey Raiders: Craine, Ashplant, Batiste, Hillier, Merrien, Martin, Barnes, Chapman, Nixon, Thomas, Campbell, Sayer, Walters, Davison, Whitehead. Replacements: Sharrott, Ahne, Quate.

Bracknell: Mirza, Pickett, Baragwanath, Valentine, Bailey, Richardson, Devereaux, Milligan, Conway, Dennett, Faamatuainu, Higgins, Mackay, Burch, Yates. Replacements: Silvester, Kroman, Gabia.

TONBRIDGE Juddians completed NC South East South One double over Guernsey ladies with a 27-0 win in Kent yesterday.

Full details to follow...