Win-at-all-costs Ellingham do just that against Sarnians

GUERNSEY under-16s put in a promising display but their third Hampshire League match ended in a 27-19 defeat away to Ellingham and Ringwood. Coach Brian Evans said that his team at last had the taste for rugby because of being involved in the competition for the first time. He acknowledged that his troops did not have the experience of their opponents in the league and were, therefore, not as streetwise.

'This was only their third competitive game up till now, with the opposition playing every week,' he said.

For the first 10 minutes of the game played in Ellingham in the middle of the New Forest, the action flowed from end to end with both sides creating early chances to score.

However, after Guernsey gave away a penalty that allowed their hosts to kick deep into the Sarnians' 22, Ellingham retained possession from the line-out and drove over for the first try.

Strong Guernsey defence kept out Ellingham for a while as they pressed for a second and the visitors were awarded a penalty 10m in front of their posts.

Taking it quickly, there was a knock-on which gave a scrum to the home team and their larger pack forced themselves over for a converted try to make it 12-0.

From the restart, Guernsey mounted an attack and encamped in the Ellingham 22.

After a strong run by Richard Angliss, who posed problems for the hosts throughout, the ball was worked through several phases and eventually the Sarnians were rewarded with a Ross Le Cheminant try.

Ellingham responded with a penalty to take the score to 15-5, but Guernsey had shaken off the travelling and were now playing the better rugby.

By half-time they had reduced the deficit to three points as Nick Merrien ended a move that saw the ball go through several pairs of hands by crashing over for a try, which he converted.

With confidence high, Guernsey maintained the pressure into the second half and took the lead as Merrien added his second try and conversion.

From then on, win at all costs seemed to be the message coming from the Ellingham camp and Evans was unhappy with some of the foul play tactics used by the opposition. He described it as 'not the sort of thing we should have to encounter on a rugby field'.

Unfortunately, the tactics had their desired effect and Ellingham scored two late tries to win.

Guernsey's next game is on 15 January away to Farnborough.

n TO SUPPORT the £12,000 expenditure for the away games the Guernsey under-16s will play in the league, they have entered into a programme of fund-raising.

The first event was a sponsored cycle ride around the island.

'All the players have been campaigning their families, friends and neighbours to help raise money,' said Evans.

'The Guernsey youth and especially the under-16s would like to thank the Royal Bank of Scotland for the support they have given during this season. The under-16s would also like to thank all the people who have kindly sponsored them on the bike ride.'