Jones's tries not enough to save Guernsey's day

Guernsey 10, Old Wimbledonian 12

NO WONDER Andy Bailey saw this as two points dropped. Had Guernsey played throughout the game with the intensity that they showed in the second half, Old Wimbledonian surely would not have left with the victory.

But in fairness, the home side deserved exactly what they got for a first- half display that must rank as one of the most lacklustre that they have produced in front of the Garenne Stand.

Even though the kick-off was delayed by the opposition's late arrival, Guernsey were still seemingly asleep for the whole of the opening 40.

It was an uninspiring display as if they were going from one regimented training drill to another with no passion, flair or urgency.

The one exception came early on when Darren Jones broke through the defensive line after some quick hands from Guernsey had moved the ball out to the right wing.

As Jones, who decided to cut back on the inside rather than go to Barry Goude outside him, made his attempt for the line, the referee's initial reaction was to raise his arm as if to indicate a try, but he quickly withdrew the gesture because the Guernsey flanker had been held up.

That, though, was a false dawn.

Old Wimbledonian soon moved downfield in the pursuit of points and although Alex Horley's comical attempt at a drop goal roused some jeers and chuckles from the home supporters, they were soon silenced.

The visitors put together an impressive rolling maul that edged left as they patiently awaited an opening and it eventually appeared out on the wing and Billy Casey raced the final 15 yards for the score in the corner.

The rest of the half was uninspiring with neither side posing much of a threat, but just when it seemed Guernsey would escape with a mere five-point deficit, they were hit by a moment of brilliance.

Unlike any other player before him, Horley took the ball at pace on a superb line to burst through Guernsey's first line of defence before sidestepping the last one and scoring under the posts.

Captain Matt Jones added the conversion to give his side a 12-point half-time cushion.

A few choice words came in the Guernsey huddle during the break and they certainly improved after the turnaround - it would have been difficult not to.

An early steal on the opponents throw into the lineout by Peter Miers, who was one of Guernsey's few bright points, buoyed the home side and persistent pressure was rewarded on 57min.

A well executed catch and drive out on the left saw Old Wimbledonian forced back over their own line and the Guernsey maul fell to ground for the score with Jones the man coming up with the ball. Jordan Reynalds struck his conversion attempt well but the touch judges' flags remained down.

As the Sarnians continued their fightback, so thevisitors' penalty count mounted and, after a warning from the referee to both sides, Ed Heaver was sent to the sin bin.

Within a couple of minutes, the hosts had made their one-man advantage count as the impressive Jones broke off the pack from another catch and drive and there was to be no stopping him as he powered his way to the line.

Reynalds' conversion attempt was similar to his first and Guernsey trailed by two.

From then on it was a tale of frustration for Guernsey. They continued to pound away at Old Wimbledonian and in one period of action that seemed to last several minutes, the forwards took it in turns trying to make the final couple of yards when they were camped next to the line.

But the breakthrough never came and, after a couple more had been sent to the bin including Jim Regnard, the final chance came from a penalty out on the right.

New Zealand flanker Nick Barton took responsibility to have a shot at goal but his kick drifted just wide of the left-hand upright and Old Wimbledonian were left to celebrate a big win.