Two points adrift deep into stoppage time and Raiders’ unbeaten run of five games is looking likely to end. But a deserved penalty is awarded and the pressure falls on replacement stand-off Dan Rice. Quite what the young lad was thinking when the ball and tee was handed to him is anyone’s guess. But, shutting everything out, he stayed cool and calmly slotted the kick over for a one-point win.

That is now six wins on the bounce for Raiders and we sit a very healthy third, deep in the title mix. Last time we played at National Two level we were as good as down by this time in the season having endured the most torrid of starts. Ravaged by injury and with a squad nowhere near the depth of the 2021-22 group, it was a tough time for all.

This season, though, promises so much more even if the title remains a very big ask.
Raiders are showing true Guernsey grit time and again, winning the tight games and displaying adaptability as well as the much-needed squad depth.

Henley led this one 13-0 early in the second half and the outlook looked bleak. As expected, the previously undefeated Hawks were big, they were tough.

With Raiders losing Sam Steventon to injury the home team trailed 10-0 at the break. There had not been a lot between the sides, other than the ability to transfer balls into points on the scoreboard. But momentum changed heading into the final quarter.

Brad Webb made an outstanding grab at a line out to set up a driving maul and the man who had thrown the ball in, Tom Ceillam, had ball in hand as Raiders hit the line. Dan Rice kicked the extras and, suddenly, there was a glimmer of hope.

Five minutes on the Raiders were ahead and it was another catch-and-drive move with Ceillam on the end that took us to 12 with the two extras to come from Rice. But with three minutes left Henley forced a penalty and Love kicked them back in front.

Cue mass deflation in the home crowd which grew as the Hawks had ball in hand with the 80 minutes up, buy penalised for holding onto the ball in a tackle. Raiders had one last chance and that opportunity grew further with a hawk picking up a yellow card for a high tackle on Matt Armstrong.

It enabled Raiders to kick to touch 10m out and from the play that followed the lineout Hawks infringed once more to hand Rice his big chance.

Tries: Celliam 2
Conv: Rice 2
Pen: Rice