CHRISTMAS HEARTBREAK AND PRIDE

On an afternoon when the timekeeper’s watch seemingly got stuck, Raiders rediscovered their mojo and were cruelly denied deep into stoppage time at Worthing.
‘If it had gone for 80 minutes we would have won the game. It was ridiculous,’ said a frustrated but immensely proud coach.
For this was a day when the squad showed their real character and underlined to the coaching team that despite now 10 losses in a row, there is a really good team in there.
‘The lads were absolutely gutted and very emotional, and it’s been a tough season for them.
‘I was heartbroken for the boys to see them like that back in the sheds.’
On the pitch, where they ran in six tries and impressed many of the locals, Reynolds was happy with so much of what he saw.
‘I’m happy to say that we finally ran the game plan we had wanted to do.’
It was a belter of a match and in tactical terms it was very much the case of Guernsey Raiders’ forwards powerhouse versus the nimble Worthing back line.

Guernsey started the stronger of the two teams with the forwards dominating the proceedings.
Regular rolling mauls from the forwards followed by a catch and drive move led to the ever impressive Douglas Horrocks coming up with the ball after being driven over the try line.
The conversion was missed by backrower George Shannon but the visitors were ahead.
Not to be outdone the Worthing Raiders soon followed up with a try of their own to set the tone for the game, the Worthing scrum half taking a quick tap penalty and sending his backs away for a smart try to be converted.
Buoyed by this, Worthing continued to defend well and repel the Guernsey forwards and following another quick penalty the home backs combined well with a cut back inside to score under the posts.
With the conversion Worthing were 14-5 ahead after 15 minutes.
But from the re-start the home side knocked on and Horrocks sent Anthony Armstrong away on a run from which Worthing conceded a penalty.
The predictable kick to the corner followed and the well-worked catch and drive move sent Layton Batiste free to dive over for a try, again unconverted.
More Guernsey pressure eventually paid off.
On the half-hour mark and with the visiting forwards and backs combining well, some lengthy phases of play provided captain Lewis Hillier with the chance to drive over for a good team try.
Shannon again missed the extras but the Raiders were ahead by a point.
Not for long though.
A penalty and yellow card for scrum half Owen Clemett, brought three cheap points for Worthing who led 17-15 at the break.

Raiders returned in great form.
From their own 10 metre line the visitring pack drove the Worthing pack all the way back to their own 22 line.
A penalty to Guernsey followed and with a catch and drive chance created the forwards drilled home the advantage for Cameron Craine to score.
Shannon finally converted and the visitors were up at 17-22.
Worthing battled back and had the chance to add to their score via a penalty, but for once their kicker slotted wide of the posts.
It then got even better for Guernsey.
Continuing to attack a tantalising chip through ball from Elia Morisio put the home side on the back foot with a scrum on the Worthing five-metre line.
The Guernsey pack shoved Worthing off the ball and Clemett won the chase for the loose ball to tap down for a try which Shannon converted.
With 15 minutes left on the clock Raiders were 29-17 up and a morale-boosting victory was in their sights.
But Worthing struck back.
Following a Guernsey knock-on the home backs worked the ball around to produce a fine try under the posts which was converted: 24-29. Worthing were intent on shifting the ball around the park via their backs, but Anthony Armstrong’s interception saw him saunter away to score under the posts for an opportunist try.
Converted by Shannon, Raiders were 36-24 to the good.

Could they hold on?
Unfortunately, with all that added time found from somewhere, no.
Worthing hit back with a try under the posts via their back-line to bring the score to within five.
Then, with just a few minutes left, the home backs again combined to score yet another try.
With the conversion missed it was level at 36-36 and a draw would have been a fair result.
But with time all but up Worthing kept pressing and eventually split open the exhausted defence to score a converted try and take the points.
For the neutral rugby enthusiast it had been a Christmas treat.
As for Reynolds, he must have been pleased to come away with a couple of bonus points, but at the same so disappointed that they could not hold out for a well deserved win.

How the referee came up with eight minutes of over time will have Reynolds scratching his head for a long time.
‘There were two minutes to go and then, suddenly, eight minutes left.
‘We were the more dominant team for 75 minutes.
‘Maybe, aside of the Clifton game, we played our best rugby (this season.) We showed a lot of spirit and it really excited me to see the way we played.
‘What was good to hear was some of their supporters say we deserved so much more.
‘I was immensely proud of the performance and it showed just what we are capable of.’
But with Old Redcliffians winning we go into Christmas now 11 points adrift of safety, but the coach remains heartened that more performances such as this one will bring victories.
The lads now have a short break before the home game on 5th January when the hope is Owen Thomas will be fit to make his long-awaited return.