Raiders in second as Rochford are stunned
RAIDERS are suddenly up to second in London & South-East Premier.
While Guernsey were recording their ninth win out of 10 games so far in the campaign at Bedford Athletic, the only club that Jordan Reynolds’ side have lost to – Rochford Hundred – were suffering a shock home defeat to CS Stags 1863.
Stags, whose victory is only their third of the season and takes them up to 10th, edged a thriller 27-26.
That result allowed Raiders to move level with Rochford on 43 points, which they did thanks to a 34-29 away victory that was perhaps more comfortable than the final scoreline suggests.
Guernsey played some of their ‘best ever’ rugby, according to their coach, in the opening half-an-hour and they were 31-17 ahead by half-time before they switched off mentally, allowing their hosts to claim two bonus points thanks to a try with the last play of the game.
Tom Ceillam scored two of the Raiders tries with Robin Le Cocq, Jacob Pinkney and Matt Armstrong also touching down while Owen Thomas added a penalty and three conversions.
A wrist injury suffered by prop Pinkney was one downside to the day and Raiders, who are ahead of Rochford on number of games won, remain six points behind leaders Wimbledon who made it the perfect 10 wins from 10 with a 41-24 victory over Brighton.
Guernsey Raiders Ladies then made it a weekend double for the club with a 50-22 win at Ashford yesterday.
St Jacques Vikings registered an excellent 29-20 victory over Ealing Trailfinders Academy on Saturday at the KGV.