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So close at Wescliff

So close at Wescliff

Alexandra Wallace21 Nov 2016 - 13:26
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Raiders 23 - 24 Westcliff

A fourth straight defeat, but at least some cheer in a hearty performance from our patched up side against a very under-rated side.

Westcliff probably just about did enough to deserve the win, but coach Jordan Reynolds was pleased with the response from his side who if they play in a similar manner at home to bottom-of-the-table Amersham & Chiltern this week, will surely return to winning ways.

On Saturday in Essex, a welcome mini-break in the rubbish weather provided both teams with a breezy but sunny day and great pitch conditions. With a depleted squad - particularly in the backs – Raiders had to use using flankers Dale Martin and Leon Gardner as wingers for the day.

Raiders started the brighter of the two teams and Westcliff offered up a penalty on 5 minutes for Westcliff being offside which Kenny Hellier slotted over for a three-point lead.
On 8 minutes Westcliff soon bounced back. From a line out in the Raiders 22 Westcliff produced a good, controlled catch and drive move and forced their way over for a converted try.

At 7-3 down Raiders continued to attack the Westcliff half and with a penalty kick into the home team 22 the Raiders lineout, who had a successful day, released the backs for winger Dale Martin to burst through the Westcliff defence to score a smart individual try.
Kenny Hellier missed the conversion.

Both teams continued to play good flowing rugby but Westcliff eventually gained the upper hand. A fine run from their centre, which was halted with a try-saving tackle from Adam Nixon playing at full back for the day, but in the same move the Westcliff backs outnumbered the Guernsey defence for a converted try: 14-8.

On 30 minutes Kenny Hellier slotted a penalty over from in front of the posts and by now the visiting forwards were taking a firmer control at scrum time with the Westcliff pack being forced back.

Amazingly at half time Guernsey had not given away a penalty throughout the whole first half and trailed just 14-11.

In the second half, Westcliff came out flying only to butcher a golden opportunity to score when their forward dropped a pass on the Raiders try line. But 10 minutes in Raiders gave away a penalty for which Westcliff kicked into the corner. The home side’s subsequent catch and drive lineout worked a treat and their scrum-half scampered over for a converted try.

At 21-11 down Raiders were in big trouble, but 20 mins from the end Westcliff gave away another penalty and Gareth Davies kicked for a lineout on the home side’s 22. A catch and drive from the Raiders forwards poured over the Westcliff line and Nick Merrien tapped down, Hellier converting for a three-point game.

Sadly, Raiders provided Westcliff with an easy penalty in front of the posts and the lead was back to 24-18.

But we weren’t dead yet.

With a second Westcliff player in the sin-bin for a punch, Raiders again went for a catch and drive from the resulting penalty and with the extra man advantage Tom Ceillam came up with the ball after being driven over the line by his fellow forwards. Hellier had a kick for the win, but he was unable to convert.

All in all, though, this was a good effort from Raiders who picked up a losing bonus point and travelled with just two subs.

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