Hat-trick for Carly

THE arch finisher, Carly Parrott, added two more tries to her impressive tally and Justeen Baker scored late on as Guernsey Ladies continued their surge up the NC South East South One table in the UK.

The conditions for the game were better than Guernsey had expected, although the ground was very heavy and there was a strong wind, which the home side decided to play with in the first half.

Things looked pretty even after the first five minutes, but just before the 10min. mark, New Ash were awarded a penalty for a very debatable offside inside the Guernsey 22.

Rather than kicking the penalty they decided to take a quick tap and from 10m out managed to force the ball across the line after a strong charge from their big No. 8.

The kick was converted and the visitors were on the back foot.

But Guernsey’s response was very good and having worked their way into the opposition half on several occasions, player of the match Baker scythed through the midfield around the halfway line and managed to offload to the supporting Anneka Saunders.

She, in turn, drew a player and slipped a lovely pass to Parrott who ran past the covering fullback to score under the posts.
Jemma Crouse converted into the teeth of a strong headwind and the scores were level.

Shortly before half-time, Parrott would go under the posts again after some hard work from the forwards in the loose and more fine running and link-up play in the midfield.

Crouse converted again for a 14-7 half time lead.

The second half was a very scrappy affair, but New Ash Green rarely managed to get out of their half and most of the play was heading in the right direction from a Guernsey perspective and, but for some quite bizarre officiating, should have scored on several more occasions before finally seeing the game out with a finely-worked try from a free kick that saw Baker finish off in the left hand corner.

‘It was not a finely polished performance by any means and we are capable of playing much better rugby, but it was played with heart and determination and we probably should have got the five tries we wanted in order to get the winning bonus point,’ said coach Chris Griffiths.

‘The tries were taken very well and finished off clinically, but there are areas that need to be looked at. The good news is we have a chance to perform better this Sunday when they come over to play us at home where the bonus point win will once again be our aim.

‘Our goal of a top-three finish is very much in sight and we are hopeful that a win against New Ash Green this Sunday and a win away in Jersey the following weekend would see us nudge very close to if not into third spot.’