Guernsey Press

Raiders fightback earns ‘derby’ win

RAIDERS and Barnes never fail to serve up a treat and they delivered another thriller at Footes Lane on Saturday.

Published
Doug Horrocks scores the first Raiders try right at the end of the first half against Barnes. (Picture by Martin Gray, 30494943)

Guernsey sent their fans home happy with a memorable 28-26 victory but they had to do it the hard way, fighting back from being 19-0 down to earn a valuable bonus-point victory.

A try on the stroke of half-time by Doug Horrocks, who led by magnificent example as captain, gave the home side much-needed momentum going into the break and second-half touchdowns from Charlie Currie, Tom Ceillam and Michael Jamieson combined with a faultless kicking display from the tee by Owen Thomas left coach Jordan Reynolds a happy man.

‘We showed really good character to get that try before half-time and that was the turning point for us because I think when we came out for the first 10 minutes [of the second half] after that we were the dominant team,’ said the Raiders’ director of rugby.

‘We said at half-time, “there’s nothing to panic about, just stop doing the stupid stuff – fix that and we can just get on with it”.’

Reynolds added that the two clubs know each other so well that they consider this a derby game, which made the victory just a little bit sweeter.

‘We got the five points. We did it the hard way, but it’s just another classic game against Barnes isn’t it?

‘To be honest, when we played them over there, on the scoreboard there was six points in it but it was just as tight. It was a really tough game, but we’re just lucky to be on the right end of this one.’

  • Match report in Monday's Guernsey Press.