Seconds topple Beeches

Guernsey 2nd XV 29, Beeches 12

GUERNSEY 2nd XV moved to within a point of Beeches and Jersey 2nds at the top of the JRA league with a comfortable and commanding defeat of the yellow-and-blues. Tries from Mark Stone (two), Gilbert Thompson, Neels Wilkin and Andy Yabsley, with two conversions from Carl Gardner, were too much for the Jersey visitors.

'We were pretty much in control for most of the match,' said Gardner.

'We just fell asleep at the start of the second half when they scored their second try but otherwise it was our game.'

Thompson went over at the start of the match to put Guernsey ahead, the score added to by the first of Gardner's conversions.

'Gilbert was just awesome all match. He was all over the pitch and just running straight through them,' said Gardner.

Wilkin then made it 12-0 before Beeches sneaked a try of their own, James Brimlow scoring.

Turning around 12-5 ahead, Guernsey were confident and they went further ahead when a five-metre lineout and drive led to Yabsley touching down.

But a conceded penalty and sluggish defence of Beeches' drive gave the Jersey side their second try, Pete Stockley converting his own effort.

'We pulled together after that and starting passing the ball so well,' said Gardner.

Stone went over in the corner to round off a flowing move, Gardner again dropping the conversion over the bar, to make it 24-12. And Stone finished off any hopes of a comeback by the visitors with his second try, crossing in the opposite corner this time.