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Guernsey lifted the Siam Cup for the first time since 2008, scoring seven tries to end Jersey’s winning streak in the annual match with a pulsating 46-30 victory at Footes Lane.
Both sides went into the contest on the back of superb seasons; the Raiders having secured a brilliant promotion to their highest ever level, and the Reds finishing fifth in the second tier of English rugby.
But this was a very different-looking Jersey side, mainly made up of amateurs from the Jersey Athletic squad because of eligibility restrictions introduced in 2016 designed to make it a more competitive fixture after years of Jersey dominance.
This was certainly competitive.
The Raiders had most of the early possession and went 12-0 ahead early on when Ned Brown burst through to go over between the posts and then Luke Sayer touched down, despite what looked to be a forward pass.
Simon Johnson’s penalty got the visitors on the scoreboard, before the former Tonga international Uili Kolo’ofa’i burst from the back of a scrum to score on his final game for the club, helping further narrow the deficit.
In the Guernsey sunshine it was attack rather than defence that remained on top. The Raiders hit back with Dan Hill at the bottom of a pile of bodies for their third try but at the other end Jersey flanker Alexander Budd crashed over for a converted try.
Brown found a way through for his second score but the advantage was cut again when Jersey scrum-half Liam Rhodes broke free for an interception try, leaving the Sarnians with a slender 24-22 lead at the break.
If there were any nerves in the Guernsey camp at half time they didn’t show straight after the restart. Four minutes in, Hill rolled off the side of a maul to power over and put the hosts 31-22 in front.
Jersey, though, were not about to let their unbeaten run slip away without a fight. They had not led at any point, but their forwards were showing dominance at scrum time and in the mauls. Winger Scott McClurg went over for a try in the corner before a drop-goal reduced the arrears to just a single point.
Sam Whitehead’s penalty perhaps steadied Guernsey nerves slightly with ten minutes to go before the Raiders found a new gear just when they needed it. Luke Jones had enough speed and momentum, despite being tripped, to reach the line and score and then Anthony Armstrong’s excellent run and try with the final move ensured the celebrations could begin and the Siam Cup would be staying on Guernsey soil.
The result completed a dominant day for the home side. Guernsey also won the women’s match (40-0), the second team fixture (15-13) and the veterans game (17-12).
Pictured top: Image from Guernsey Raiders Facebook page
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