Chichester 31, Guernsey Raiders 20
HEAVILY-DEPLETED Raiders dug deep to avert a disastrous scoreline and comfortably outscored the home side in the second period at Chichester.
Raiders travelled with just 16 men and were 31-8 down at the break.
But Jordan Reynolds' men showed real character in scoring two second half tries through Chris Ahne and Ned Brown, one of them converted by Owen Thomas.
Afterwards a frustrated but proud Reynolds spoke of the lack of depth with more than 20 senior players unavailable.
'We are not getting much help from the seconds at the moment. The club has to wake up and decide where we are going and what they want to do.
'But it was a fair effort by the guys.
'It was a tough battle. It always was going to be and we ran with the same pack for 80 minutes.'
Owen Thomas gave Raiders an early lead with a penalty, but Chichester's backs enjoyed themselves in the first 40, running in five tries including a couple while Thomas was in the sin bin.
Dave Davison scored a try late in the first period and two more arrived in the second half when Chichester had two players in the sin-bin.
Raiders stay seventh in the table, seven points clear of Wimbledon and five behind sixth-placed Shelford.
