Pack are the leaders as Camberley are seen off

Guernsey 19, Camberley 0

GUERNSEY gave Joubert Thompson a fitting send-off on Saturday. A minute's silence was held before the game at Foote's Lane in memory of the 22-year-old who died recently in Italy and then the home side eased past Camberley, who caused them hardly any problems all afternoon.

'We have shown our respect for Joubert today, but he was a happy, fun-loving guy and he would not want us to be down. He would want us to carry on,' said Guernsey captain Andy Bailey.

The hosts did just that with an efficient display in which the pack dominated and considering three of them - Simon Sharrott, Peter Miers and James Regnard - were supposedly carrying knocks, it was all the more praiseworthy.

It has not often been the case this season, but Guernsey flew out of the blocks and were awarded a penalty after less than 30sec. when Camberley were pulled up for holding onto the ball on the ground from Jordan Reynalds' kick-off.

Nick Barton made no mistake with his kick from on the 22.

He just missed the chance to double the lead five minutes later when his penalty from the right touchline drifted the wrong side of the far upright, but Guernsey were in command.

The visitors were soon down to 14 for 10 minutes when captain Graeme Fleming was sin-binned following a brief fracas and the hosts put their advantage to good use.

After a period of sustained pressure on the Camberley line, the green-and-whites were awarded a scrum five metres out having being held up over the line.

From the base of that set piece, Regnard picked up and drove forward with several defenders hanging off him. Barton was in support and it was he who came up with the ball after the referee had confirmed the try.

'I think ?Barts? took the ball off Jim as he was falling,' Bailey said afterwards.

Although the blindside flanker failed to add the conversion, he did kick another penalty before Fleming returned to the action, making it 11-0 after 22 minutes.

Barton's third successful kick in the final minute of the half after Sharrott had been on the receiving end of a high tackle gave Guernsey a 14-point lead at the break.

The second half was largely uneventful and played almost exclusively in Camberley's half.

The final score came with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining.

Guernsey executed a superb catch and drive from the 22 and the maul was finally collapsed with Robbie Nicholas sent to the bin for the infringement.

From that penalty, Reynalds kicked to the corner, the forwards did their job once more and Sharrott came away with the try.

'It was a really solid performance,' said Bailey.

'We never looked in trouble - our defence was outstanding. It was probably our most disciplined performance of the season.

'No one particularly stood out, but the pack as a whole were excellent. It shows that if you get your structure and set pieces right, you have a foundation which you can build on.'