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Guernsey Raiders twice saw a lead pegged back as they lost on the road to Canterbury.
The home side have now won four on the bounce, and the result was some turnaround from their heaviest defeat of the season at the hands of Raiders back in the opening game of September.
Raiders, in fifth, are now seven points behind Canterbury in National 2 East, but with a game in hand.
Frank Reynolds gave Canterbury an early lead with a penalty, but Raiders came back into the game and a powerful driving maul brought a try for hooker James Burgess. Charlie Simmonds missed the conversion, but then slotted a penalty in the 29th minute.
As the half drew to a close, Canterbury took the lead when Garry Jones dived on a defence splitting grubber from Reynolds, who then converted.
That 10-8 advantage was shortlived.
Raiders broke the defensive line in the opening moments of the second half and Sam Boyland was send in under the posts. Simmonds added the two points.
Raiders were in the ascendancy but could not make that tell on the scoreboard and Canterbury took advantage.
A Kurt Heatherley cross kick sparked an attack for the home side with Harvey Furneaux eventually crossing over and Reynolds converting.
The clincher came in the 65th minute as Canterbury worked the ball wide from a scrum, a gap opened and Jones stretched over the line. Reynolds converted.
Raiders' perfect home record will face a huge test on Saturday when they play table toppers Tonbridge Juddians at 2pm.
Pictured top: Guernsey Raiders playing Canterbury in September.
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