Bailey praises team's display

Guernsey Seconds 19, St Jacques 3

'AN IMPRESSIVE team performance both in attack and defence,' said Guernsey Seconds captain Alec Bailey and few watching could argue. Despite giving away size and experience to St Jacques, Guernsey's young pack started much the brighter and a fine rampaging run from Layton Batiste resulted in Saints killing the ball.

Bailey kicked the resulting penalty from distance to give the green-and-whites an early lead.

In front of a good Foote's Lane crowd, Guernsey's young pack began to take the upper hand, with former St Jacques player Seamus Murphy at the forefront of many Guernsey attacks. However, the final pass or wrong option was taken on more than one occasion and Guernsey rued missed opportunities.

Two more penalties from Bailey followed as the All Blacks failed to learn from their earlier misdemeanour and Guernsey stretched their lead to 9-0.

However, after some good work by St Jacques captain Tim Pond, Guernsey infringed at the resulting ruck and Tom Chamberlain kicked a penalty from distance to reduce the deficit to six at half-time.

The hosts started the second half the stronger side and only a debatable forward pass decision by the referee robbed departing number eight Darren 'Billy' Jones, playing against St Jacques for the first time in his six seasons with Guernsey, a suitable try-scoring send-off.

However, after a couple more missed opportunities to score by the home backs, fullback Cameron Patten glided to the line and powered between the posts for a converted try as Guernsey made their superiority show.

Then Guernsey substitute 18-year-old David Davidson's impressive angles of running in partnership with Will Wyatt nearly put winger Mark Stone over for a fine try in the corner, but the winger failed to gather the pass cleanly and the chance went begging.

Despite some late pressure from the St Jacques forwards, a further penalty from Bailey extended the lead to 19-3 shortly before the final whistle.

'We never really looked like conceding a try, which is pleasing,' said Bailey.

'You know what to expect when you play St Jacques, a good hard game, but we expected to win today and nothing but a win would have been acceptable.

'It's great to see some of the youngsters now really finding their feet at senior rugby level. David Davidson was impressive when he came on and Rolo de Sausmarez has been improving with every game and these guys will only get better the more they play.'

* THE Guernsey Rugby Club are holding a World Cup final party in their Foote's Lane clubhouse on Saturday.

Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for children, which includes bean jar, or hot dog with baked beans for juniors, and two drinks.

Doors open at 6.30pm, with England v. South Africa kicking off at 8.

Tickets are available from Phil Daunt on 07781 152015.