Magnificent end lifts spirits before the Siam

Guernsey 18, Dorking 0

FOOTE'S LANE resembled a battlefield on Saturday, from which Guernsey emerged victorious. The home side were simply magnificent as they matched Dorking, a side who have claimed second place in London Three South-West and with it a promotion play-off, stride for stride and more so.

As he watched his side trudge or, in several cases, limp off the field, captain Andy Bailey's chest swelled with pride.

'Our defence was awesome,' he said.

'Dorking really took it to us at times and they are a very good side, but we never looked like we would let them score against us.

'Our discipline did us proud and it was a really pleasing performance all-round.'

You cannot help but wonder what might have been had Guernsey been able to put out strong, settled sides like this all season because of late they have looked capable of challenging for promotion alongside Dorking, who the Sarnians have beaten twice this season.

But looking ahead for the positives, there is a wonderful platform on which to build a push for a top-two spot next season and before then there is the little matter of the Siam Cup in three weeks' time.

This was undoubtedly a confidence booster ahead of the Jersey clash and it was achieved despite the late withdrawal of influential front rowers Simon Sharrott and Laurence Hill-Tout.

The former had a hamstring problem while the latter injured his ear during scrum training on Thursday, but their replacements Russ Roberts and Dave Hatcher played their part in an immense display.

The first half was a real tussle with neither side giving an inch.

It was the hosts who just edged it on the scoreboard through Nick Barton's penalty in the 40th minute after the green-and-whites had enjoyed a prolonged period of pressure in the Dorking 22.

Earlier, both Barton and Dorking's Neil Failes had missed three-point attempts, although the Guernsey flanker had the excuse of not having a kicking tee available to him in the opening stages.

It was two minutes after the turnaround that Guernsey took control with a try straight out of the top drawer.

With the ball having gone loose as the hosts looked to throw it along the line, Bailey improvised a cheeky pass through his legs to maintain possession. Dorking hesitated momentarily and that was the invitation Barry Goude needed to set off on a scintillating run down his right wing.

Having shrugged off a couple of tackles, he popped the ball inside to Darren Jones, who showed superb strength and terrific awareness to draw his defender, take the low tackle and offload as he fell to the ground.

Dan Taylor-Edwards was on hand to accept that offload and he had a clear run to the posts for a try that Barton converted.

Dorking's response was impressive as they camped in the Guernsey half for the next 10 minutes with powerful prop Eric Liebenberg putting in several thunderous runs.

But Guernsey stood their ground, despite losing their outstanding performer Jones on 52min. to injury. He had done everything expected of a quality openside and when Bailey talked of discipline afterwards, Jones had been the epitome of it.

The game was made safe with 12 minutes of the 80 remaining with another excellent try.

The pack played their part with a rolling maul down the right before Jordan Reynalds injected pace and guile into the move with his mazy, diagonal run to the left that stretched the defence.

Peter Miers took the ball with five metres to make and had the presence of mind to offload as he was about to pushed into touch and Jim Elliott dropped on it for the score.

Five minutes later, after Jim Regnard's incredible 80m burst almost set up a try for Paul Thomas who was making a rare appearance as a substitute, Barton added the final three points with another penalty.

'We kept our discipline and were organised. It is all very well being aggressive in defence, but you have got to be organised and we always had numbers there to repel their attacks,' said Bailey.

'This is the highest position this club has ever been in and now we have got to build on that next season and push for promotion.'