Last gasp Smith try gives 2nds win

A close fought game marred by a couple injuries, was eventually won by Guernsey 2nds with only minutes to go.

Guernsey managed to put pressure on St Jacques early on, and following repeated attacks down the right, play was switched across the field and veteran fly-half Ray Smart exploited a gap in the defence to open the scoring, with Carl Gardner adding the extras. St Jacques didn’t take long to reply though, Tom Chamberlain converting a penalty for 7-3. Almost immediately, Gardner should have extended the lead but missed an easy penalty attempt from 25 yards.

Then came the injuries. Full back Aaron Le Masurier made a great tackle after St Jacques’ Dickon Addis had broken from a scrum, but dislocated his shoulder in the process. St Jacques spun the ball wide using the overlap and as winger Steve Davison headed for the posts he was tackled over the line by Andy Dunn. St Jacques’ Wing Lai and Guernsey’s Leon Gardner both dived to ground the loose ball but in the collision Lai broke his leg. The game was then halted for around 30 minutes whilst paramedics dealt with Lai, who ended up undergoing surgery that evening. All at Guernsey RUFC wish him well and hope for a full and speedy recovery.

Once the game was restarted, Guernsey started the brighter and with Will Luscombe in particular breaking up St Jacques attacks with big tackles in the centre, the lead was extended to 12-3 after Ben Challinor broke through the centres. St Jacques had the final say of the first half, however, with Tom Chamberlain finishing off a move on the blindside, to leave the score at 12-8 at the break.

St Jacques started the 2nd half on the ascendency, and Chamberlain narrowed the gap with a penalty from in front of the posts. Guernsey restored the four point lead after winning a penalty on half way, but St Jacques indiscipline led to ref Ross Hamon twice giving an extra 10 yards. Carl Gardner took a quick tap and with St Jacques being deemed not to have retreated 10 yards, he was able to convert a simple penalty.
Guernsey looked to spin the ball wide at every opportunity, but were closed down on the narrow pitch; whilst St Jacques kept it tight making ground around the fringes of rucks and mauls, and with 15 minutes to go, St Jacques took the lead for the first time, Chamberlain driving over from close range for 16-15.

Late on it looked like Dunn was going to win the game for Guernsey, breaking down the right wing but a last ditch tackle from Brett McFarlane put Dunn into touch just short of the line. St Jacques made an error at the resulting line out though, and there was no stopping another veteran, Mike Smith from 5 yards out.

Guernsey now have three important weekends in a row in the JRA, Beeches away, Jersey 2nds at home (counting as two games) and then Banks away.

Team: James O’Reilly (Craig Wilson), Callum Murdoch, Matt Bacon (James O’Reilly); Sam Yabsley, Leon Gardner (Rick Felbabel); John Morris (Mike Smith), Richard Hile, Rory Quesnel; Carl Gardner, Ray Smart; Will Luscombe, Ben Challinor; Mark Stone, Andrew Dunn, Aaron Le Masurier (Stuart Bisson). Sub Not Used : Tim Jeffery

Scorers: Tries – Ray Smart, Ben Challinor, Mike Smith; Conversion – Carl Gardner; Penalty – Carl Gardner