Waiting game produces inevitable greens' win

Guernsey 39, Fawley 0

IT WASN'T pretty and for the majority of the game it wasn't vintage Guernsey, but the Sarnians still got the job done. Seven tries, no points conceded and two more Hampshire League One points was still a very acceptable return on a potentially tricky day for the home side.

Fawley's late arrival pushed the kick-off back three hours and left coach Rob Box and his men twiddling their thumbs for a frustratingly long period from their noon get-together time.

Of course, it wasn't easy for the visitors either having arrived at Southampton airport before 8am and then rushing through their warm up so that a very patient crowd could finally witness a game at 4.30pm.

But it is just one of the potential hazards of flying here at this time of year.

The opening quarter of an hour was typical of two sides whose preparations had been far from ideal.

Although Guernsey's forwards were rucking well and getting their side plenty of ball, virtually nothing of note occurred before Jim Elliott's fine run was brought to an end just a couple of metres out with Steven Eaton bundling the winger into touch on 17min.

Dave McGall also came close to getting over the line before the first score finally arrived after 33min. - a long period of Guernsey pressure being rewarded with Andy Bailey going over in the far corner with a good advantage played after Paul Livesey had been the victim of a high tackle - one of several he endured during the game.

With Guernsey having the strong wind at their backs in the second half, the game was basically made safe just before the interval with the second try.

It was cleverly made by fly-half Alec Bailey who decided to go right despite most of his backs lining up on the short side and Ian Johnson was on hand to take the pass and barge over. The younger Bailey converted to make it 12-0 at half-time.

Even after the turnaround, the Sarnians had to wait 20min. before adding to their tally, but what followed in the next 10 minutes was something of a try blitz.

Mark Jones, who had just replaced Ian Johnson at inside centre, was used as the dummy runner by Alec Bailey and with the defence following the substitute, Livesey raced through on the crash ball and beat the last man before touching down under the posts. Bailey again converted.

A couple of minutes later Livesey had his second score after some superb handling and a delightfully delayed pass by Darren Jones sent him clear.

Jones the flanker was soon on the scoresheet himself as he finished off a move that was started by a magnificent break from his namesake and continued by the green-and-whites recycling the ball well.

Straight from the restart Guernsey notched their sixth try of the afternoon as the backs showed their capabilities with some excellent handling through Mark Jones, Carl Johnson and Elliott before Andy Bailey completed his brace. He, Elliott and Livesey were all impressive on the day and caused Fawley no end of problems.

There was time for Elliott to get the try he thoroughly deserved with almost the last play of the game following another crash-ball move involving Livesey. Andy Bailey left his wing to supply the final pass.

So although ideally they would have perhaps been looking to rack up a few more points against the bottom-of-the-table side, there was contentment among the Guernsey ranks after the victory.

'Given the conditions, we have got to be pleased with the result,' said assistant coach Colin McClatchey.

'The conditions were awful for both sides and I thought the referee was not particularly helpful to either side - decisions went against both teams today.

'In the second half we showed a bit more character, although it was still scrappy, but there was the odd flash of brilliance that we know we are capable of.'

McClatchey went on to emphasis the difficulties of a match where you do not know when you are going to start and are left waiting for the opposition.

'It has been a very long day and it is quite easy to get distracted if you are sitting around, waiting.

'It took 20 minutes for the first score to come and that opening period was indicative of the day.

'But we scored 39 points and did not concede, which was pleasing,' he said.

Now Guernsey face an altogether different challenge as they travel to play one of their main promotion rivals, the Isle of Wight, next week.