Scottish coach mourns bad day

PROUD Scotsman that he is, Saturday was a bad day for Guernsey coach Colin McLatchie. As well as seeing his national football and rugby union sides fail to win, England won theirs and, most importantly for the man who succeeded Rob Box in the early stages of the season, the island side lost for the sixth time in eight matches in London Three South-West, this time 26-12 to the London Irish Amateur side.

'The body language before kick-off suggested they just were not up for it,' said McLatchie the following morning.

Guernsey, whose front five were to shine all afternoon, hit back well though and by half-time were 12-11 to the good with Laurence Hill-Tout and Andy Bailey scoring a try apiece and Darren Jones converting one of them.

'The team talk at half-time was about more of the same, but they scored straight after the interval and we didn't look like as if we had switched back on.'

The Irish, very young and very fit, never looked in trouble again and moved clear to win comfortably with the help of a disappointing Guernsey performance.

'Three of their tries basically we gave them and we also missed a couple of penalties in front of the posts.

'If there was a positive it was the front five and our scrummaging. The backs were awful, even with the stars back. I was disappointed they didn't create more and gel.'

With Siam Cup star Willoughy Bloem back from South Africa, McLatchie opted to play him at 10 with compatriot Divan Crouse retaining his scrum-half spot.

GH Smit and Will Wyatt played at centre with Paul Livesey and Andy Bailey, the captain, on the wings and Ben Le Huray at full back.

With Tottonians coming to Foote's Lane in five days' time, McLatchie is desperate for an improved attitude.

In a generally tight league, Tottonians won for the fourth time on Saturday, 20-19 at home to Farnham, and sit mid table.

Only Camberley seem to be a notch above the rest, their 22-12 win over Andover being their eighth straight win.

Guernsey lie next to bottom on four points, with only Effingham and Leatherhead below.

Other results:

Chobham 5, Old Reigatian 22; Effingham and Leatherhead 8, Old Wimledonians 18; Winchester 36, Weybridge Vandals 7.