GALLERY: Guernsey dazzle to take Siam Cup double

Sunday 05 May 2024

Champagne was flying through the air as the men’s and ladies Siam Cup trophies were held aloft in front of jubilant home fans during a glorious day of rugby at Footes Lane.

While Guernsey Raiders men were a dominant force, allowing the crowd to mostly relax in the sunshine and soak up what had been an uplifting day of sport, the women’s side took things right to the edge before winning with the final kick of the game.

In the week before the men's Siam, Jersey had talked up their chances and attached the favourites tag to themselves.

Pictured: Hugo Culverhouse walks back after scoring Guernsey's second try after breaking down the wing.

It was made to look rather hollow as the men in green and white stormed out the traps and were 14-0 up after tries by Ethan Smith and Hugo Culverhouse.

Pictured: Nial Mcgann breaks the Jersey defence to stretch Guernsey's lead.

Nial Mcgann raced through to add the next try, and his brother Ciaran slotted yet another conversion and it was 21-0 with 23 minutes on the clock.

Full back Charlie Hubert scored in the corner for Jersey in a move off the scrum five minutes later and Aaron Penberthy kicked the conversion as they looked to find a foothold in the game.

But they were knocked again.

Tom Teasdale broke the Jersey defensive line and calmly passed the ball to Ciaran Mcgann on his right shoulder who scored under the posts with 31 minutes on the clock.

Pictured: Points machine Ciaran Mcgann on his way to his first of three tries in a man of the match performance.

It was a rare Guernsey error that gave Jersey some hope.

A loose pass in the centres only went to ground and was scooped up by Simmonds who turned on the gas to score under the posts.

Pictured: Some of the traveling contingent.

It left the score at 28-14 at half time, but if Jersey felt they had any way back into the game, that was quickly and decisively dealt with moments into the start of the second.

Jersey had gathered the restart comfortably, but off the second phase deep inside their own 22 they looked to go wide immediately.

It was a fateful decision.

Ciaran Mcgann intercepted the pass, dived under the posts and then had an easy conversion.

Pictured: Ciaran Mcgann celebrates his hat trick of tries.

He completed his hat trick in the corner six minutes later after another feed by Teesdale and with a calm conversion it was 42-14.

It was Jersey's forwards who edged them back. They set up a maul off a long lineout throw in the corner and rumbled forward for hooker Jack Macfarlane to dab down.

There was still 30 minutes to go and he urged his team on as the conversion was added.

Pictured: The Guernsey flag is flying.

Jersey substitute scrumhalf Mitchell had added some zip to their game and upped the tempo.

It was Mitchell who finished off a break started by Scott Van Breda flat pass out to the wing and Jersey were 16 points behind

It was not long before Guernsey had stretched away with the forwards showing their strength.

An initial maul off a lineout was held up short, but Guernsey continued to pick and go.

With the ball inches from the line, Jamie Dunn, just off the bench, aimed at the post, the referee lay down on the floor for a better look and awarded the try.

Pictured: Jamie Dunn (right) scored within moments of coming on in his Siam Cup debut.

It was 49-26.

Jersey had the last say on the scoreboard.

Mitchell was running backwards in his own half when he spun the ball to Van Breda who stepped through two tackles on his way to the tryline.

Mitchell pushed the conversion wide and it ended 49-33.

Pictured: Charlie Simmonds tastes victory.

In the Women's clash, Guernsey were 14-15 down and seemingly down and out to a Jersey side who had seen the better of the action.

The clock had ticked over 80 minutes and the referee blown to signal a Jersey scrum for a knock on when the assistant on the far side ran onto the pitch - he had spotted a player in red pulling down the maul.

The penalty was in front of the posts and the Guernsey flyhalf Chelsie Blondel in her 13th Siam held her nerve to slot home the kick and spark wild celebrations.

To start the day, the Guernsey vets side had won the Nash Cup 36-12, while Jersey's only victory came as the seconds played for the Fallaize, 28-24.

Pictured: The Ladies Siam secure, the team watches the last match of the day.

Pictured: Guernsey opened the day with victory in the Nash.

Pictured: Five more points on the board in the vets clash.

Pictured: Tom Creed takes the lineout in the Fallaize clash.

Pictured: Jersey won the Fallaize 28-24.

Pictured: Jersey's Mark Boarer is tackled in the Fallaize.

More to come...