Walkover win; Buccaneers win friendly 43-19

Mark Stone’s side arrived at St Peter in Jersey on Saturday to find Buccaneers four players short of a full team and consequently giving the game.

GRFC happily took the points and played a friendly with the Sarnians giving the opposition three players to make things even, but the outcome left a sour taste in the mouth.

‘We’d rather have won it on the pitch,’ said coach Mark Stone, who had struggled in the week to raise what turned out to be a strong travelling squad.

‘We’re top of the league now so we can’t be too upset about it.

‘We’ve got Jersey 2s coming up here next month and if we can win that one we are in a good position for the league,’ he added.

But having lost the points before a ball was even kicked, Buccaneers still managed to salvage something from the afternoon.

It turns out internal communication problems at JRFC may have led to the home side having only 11 players at the earlier than usual kick-off time, forcing them to borrow some of the visiting Sarnian squad to ensure a competitive 'friendly', but the subsequent 43-19 victory at least gave some of their island youngsters the chance to shine, which they took in style.

With Guernsey having taken a 14-0 lead with two tries from the returning Ben Challinor, the slow drip-feed of Jersey players onto the heavy field soon started to produce some heartening action for the small band of home fans braving the cold on pitch three.

Jersey were almost level by half-time, trailing 14-12, thanks to full-back Adam Spencer outstripping the Sarnian defence on the left flank, then, a minute later, fellow youngster Tom Tilstone powering through the centre. Matt Michel added a conversion.

The dynamic Chris Voss, younger brother of former JRFC first-teamer James, put Jersey ahead 17-14 and from then on in it was one way traffic, with Guernsey getting back some of their sportingly-loaned players.

If it lacked the bite of a genuine showdown it still produced some scintillating running, with Michel, then Spencer, again, scoring with aplomb, soon followed by Jonny Glendenning. At 38-14 Guernsey responded, with hooker Callie Murdoch charging through the middle.

The final word went to Jersey flanker Voss, who scored his second try out on the left with a combination of strength and fast footwork.

Kicked points came from Michel and Spencer, with Leon Gardiner doing the same for Guernsey.