Bonus-point victory puts Raiders top of the table
SEVEN tries and nothing magnificent about the performance – but not to worry.
Raiders approach Christmas top of the London and SE Premier table with another bonus-point victory on a day when rivals Wimbledon’s game at Tunbridge Wells was called off.
Raiders and Guildford have been familiar foes for many a season and the close links extend to players having pulled on both jerseys.
The proud Surrey club’s website shows pen pics of Courtney Raymond, who is now with the Guernsey club and played from the start against his old club, as well as the young Australian scrum half Kyle Brown, who was with Raiders two seasons ago, learning the trade of a ‘9’ under Malcolm Barnes, arguably the finest player ever to pull on a Guernsey jersey.
As it turned out, Brown was not among the travelling group.
In time, another Kiwi, Doug Horrocks, may take that fantasy ‘best player’ mantle from Barnes, and with the former back in his homeland for Christmas it was a little concerning how Jordan Reynolds’ side would perform without their outstanding No. 8.
They need not have worried.
Raymond stepped up perfectly, scoring twice against his old club mates in the 45-5 succcess.
There were also tries for Luke Sayer, Anthony Armstrong, Layton Batiste, Joe Andresen and Tom Teasdale with Owen Thomas kicking five conversions.
More in Monday's Guernsey Press.
