We are the champions

Guernsey 56, Isle of Wight 7

GUERNSEY produced the champagne rugby this champagne occasion deserved. A fixture against the third-placed team in Hampshire League One with all the pressure on the Sarnians, who needed victory to secure the title, should not, by rights, be won so emphatically.

But this excellent Guernsey squad has produced some extraordinary rugby this season and on this most special of days they were in no mood to disappoint the large Foote's Lane crowd.

Any nerves were soon settled as the green-and-whites scored the first of their nine first-rate tries in the third minute.

The visitors put a big push on Guernsey in the opening scrum but the home side retained the ball with fly-half Stuart Lloyd-Jones doing well to set it up.

From that foundation, the ball was moved right and captain Carl Johnson found a bit of space to move into before giving Velde van der Merwe a simple run to the line.

Lloyd-Jones added the two points, the first of four successful first-half conversions for him, and seven minutes later he made it 10-0 from a straightforward penalty after Andy White had missed Isle of Wight's first attempt on goal.

Guernsey showed the strength of their pack in the second try on 23min.

The half-back pairing of Lee Whatman and Lloyd-Jones did well to pressurise a defensive clearance to give their side a line-out just a few metres out.

Paul Thomas' throw found Dave Willis and the resultant driving maul powered to the line with Matt Morgan getting the touchdown.

Just moments later Andy Bailey scored the first of his four tries.

Morgan took a quick tap penalty on halfway, the ball was moved right through several pairs of hands out to Paul Livesey who had his fellow winger in support and he unselfishly gave him the inside pass.

Bailey was to add his second try before the break with Morgan again starting the move.

The number eight broke powerfully from the scrum, had Dave Willis in support and the flanker dumped the ball off to Bailey, once again coming off his left wing, who had a clear run to the posts.

Being 31-0 up at half-time, the job was almost done.

But credit to the Isle of Wight as they began the second period brightly, using the assisting wind well and coming up with a score with just six minutes gone.

Guernsey, who were guilty of losing their discipline on too many occasions, were penalised for not retreating 10m close to their own line and a quick tap released winger Stuart Browne for an easy five points, which White then made seven.

Coaches Rob Box and Colin McLatchie were disappointed to concede such a soft score but the response from their side was typically impressive.

Van der Merwe soon notched his second try and hooker Thomas also got in on the act with a fine effort to extend the lead to 34 points.

The home side were reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes with Morgan sent to the sin bin for persistent infringements but that loss had little effect on the game.

With three minutes of normal time remaining, Bailey completed a fine hat-trick thanks to a well delayed pass from captain Carl Johnson and the winger finished his own individual tally on the 80min. mark with arguably the try of the game.

Van der Merwe produced a carbon copy of the chip and chase he executed to perfection in the Hampshire Worthington's Bowl final but on this occasion he was unfortunate to lose his footing after collecting the ball.

However, he managed to keep it alive by popping it up to Darren Jones and the replacement flanker passed neatly 'out the back door' and Bailey finished extravagantly in the right corner.

There were still four minutes of injury time to play and it was fitting that the league season ended with a try. Morgan it was who barged over in the last bit of action before the celebrations could finally begin.