Rugby: Raiders back to winning ways

Monday 18 November 2024

Guernsey Raiders maintained their unbeaten home record after seeing off Oxford Harlequins 49-27.

They ran in seven tries to secure a bonus point win to stay third in National 2 East.

Oxford have been finding their feet after promotion as champions of Regional One Midlands last season, coming to Footes Lane on the back of a win against Worthing last weekend when Raiders were losing on the road to Henley.

The visitors were first on the board with a 13th minute penalty but Raiders quickly replied and stretched away.

Tries from Tom Ceillam, Sam Boyland and Liam Welch were all converted by Ciaran Mcgann to put Raiders 21-3 up, and things looked even worse for Oxford when they lost two players to injury.

While they registered the next try through David Manning with four minutes of the first half remaining, Raiders went in to the break with 28 on the board and a bonus point secured when Josh Poullet went over and the conversion was good.

Raiders put the game out of reach early in the second half, with two tries from Anthony Armstrong again converted by Mcgann.

The home side had Martinas Dromantas in the sin bin when Oxford grabbed the next try through Edward Yeates and on 71 minutes lost Jack Colbourne to another yellow.

Again Oxford made the extra player count with a Harry Burn try.

Raiders took their tally to 49 points just two minutes later courtesy of Owen Thomas touching down and Mcgann kicking the conversion.

Oxford had the final say, and a bonus point for themselves, with a try from Archie van Dijk.