Rugby: Raiders climb the table, St Jacques promoted as clubs thrill Footes Lane

Monday 08 April 2024

Maybe the rare glimpse of the sunshine went to their heads, but everyone seemed in the mood for entertainment at Footes Lane.

When Guernsey Raiders and Old Abanians finally stopped scoring they had put 94 points on the scoreboard between them, with 14 tries in a breathlessly entertaining encounter.

Raiders came out on top in the headline fixture, 53-41 winners, to climb above the visitors into 10th in National 2 East, capping off a fine day of rugby in front of the Garenne Stand which had already seen St Jacques secure promotion to Counties One Hampshire with a 108-15 win against Chichester Seconds.

The day had been billed as One Club United, with the home sides wearing their away colours which represented each other - Raiders in the black and yellow of St Jacques and Vikings in the green and white.

Pictured: The referee has a word with the front rows before the first scrum of the game.

What united them on the pitch was the ability to cross the whitewash.

Ciaran Mcgann slotted three points to opening the scoring in the fourth minute for Raiders, before Harrison Legg's converted try put the visitors in front.

Pictured: Ethan Smith gathers the ball from the restart before racing in for a try.

There was an instant response, Ethan Smith claimed Tom Teasdale's restart and raced into the corner to touch down. Mcgann added the conversion.

The lead lasted mere moments, as Bailey Thomas hit back for OAs and Sam Jones converted.

There was no time to look away, though, with Sam Boyland crossing in the corner to restore Raider's advantage on 18 minutes and in what followed they finally built some breathing space.

Smith's interception on halfway saw him race in for another five points, which Mcgann converted, before his threatening kick chase was stopped abruptly by an illegal push which saw Ben Alexander sent to the sin bin.

Raiders used the man advantage to put two more quick converted tries on the board.

Pictured: Hugo Culverhouse is congratulated.

Hugo Culverhouse claimed one of 24 minutes and Callum Roberts two minutes later.

Pictured: Callum Roberts steams clear as he runs into the corner for five points.

They were 36-14 up, but Old Albanians were not done. An Alessandro Ricci try on 35, followed by Thomas grabbing his second, converted by Jones, meant they were back to within 10 points at the break.

They closed the gap further when Ricci went over again to open the scoring in the second period, and all things considered it was a calmer passage of the game.

Having been kicking points all day long, Mcgann got in on the try scoring on 63 minutes to stretch the lead back out for Raiders and he then slotted a penalty with just over 10 minutes to go to take the home side two converted tries clear.

Pictured: Ciaran Mcgann lines up one his many successful conversions.

Any hope that the crowd had of sitting back and fully relaxing at that point was dashed when Thomas scored two minutes later, but crucially the conversion sailed wide.

Callum Roberts ensured Raider's victory with their final try of the game, again converted by McGann, before Toby Ponsford signed off for the visitors with the final try of the match.

The result means that Raiders climbed above OAs into 10th place, they are level on 59 points although Guernsey have played one game less. Raiders travel to Bury St Edmunds on Saturday before another trip to top of the table Esher on 20 April.

Their league campaign wraps up with a home match against Henley on Saturday 27 April.