While Tonbridge Juddians were taking a big step towards the National Two East title by claiming the maximum five points from their game in hand on their fellow title contenders, the fact that Guernsey did not even pick up a bonus point did the hosts a disservice and afterwards coach Jordan Reynolds made it clear that he was not amused by the performance of the officials.
‘It’s difficult because there’s a team of three here today that was taking care of the league leaders big time,’ he said.
‘The inconsistencies in that second half were phenomenal – 12 penalties in a row and it gets to the 13th penalty, clear overlap, yellow card they give him, we’re walking it in, they had no cover [but] not even a pen try. It was a disgrace.
‘But what’s great for us is our boys stuck at the task. It would have just been good if it was 50-50 across with the calls across the park. I think if it was, they probably still win, but it’s probably a score in it and we probably get the bonus point.
‘I’m looking forward to my chat with the referees after this.’
TJs were all you would expect from a side on the verge of promotion to level three on the RFU ladder – very strong, well drilled, confident and streetwise.
They were the better side on the day, but many would agree with Reynolds that the scoreline did not truly reflect the gap between the teams.
Raiders had to play the vast majority of the first half without the ball, but they never shirked their defensive responsibilities and by the interval there was only one score in it.
Guernsey showed they were up for the challenge as they repelled the early TJs pressure, with Charlie Simmonds making an excellent covering tackle to prevent Thomas Kendrick from scoring in the fifth minute, and having weathered that storm they got on the board themselves when Martinas Dromantas collected an overthrown line-out and powered over from close range. Ciaran McGann added the extras on a day both kickers were perfect from the tee.
Five minutes later Raiders suffered a major blow as they lost Dromantas to injury and moments later visiting scrum-half Connor Lloyd had brought his side level with a try from a quick tap penalty.
Live-wire Lloyd was the instigator of the next try on 25min. as he broke down the short side, initially supported by former Raider Hugo Culverhouse, before fullback Harrison Sims went over.
TJs extended their lead further seven minutes later, though there was more than a suspicion of a forward pass in the move that ended with Kendrick touching down, but Guernsey ensured they were still well in the contest at the interval by scoring with the last play of the half.
It was a well-executed set move off the back of a scrum with Ciaran McGann hitting the line at pace to burst through the defensive line before offloading to Liam Welch who did the rest.
To be within seven points at the break was a testament to Guernsey’s tenacity, but their chances of causing an upset took a massive blow just two minutes into the second half when TJs scored their bonus-point fourth try as Kendrick came off his wing to skip through a tackle in midfield before giving fellow winger Curtis Barnes the simplest of finishes.
The visitors then gave a demonstration of their own resolve as they kept Raiders at bay for the next 10 minutes before extending their lead further through a strong run from flanker Thomas Nicoll.
Midway through the half Jack Colbourne got a try back as he benefited from a terrific pick-up off his laces by Owen Thomas to go over in the left-hand corner, but the returning winger was soon to limp off as Raiders suffered more injury woe.
TJs quickly stifled any lingering hopes of a Raiders comeback when Duncan Tout bounced through two tackles to score and Lloyd rubbed salt into the wounds with 10 minutes remaining as he scored an intercept try from a dubious starting position that looked offside.
Guernsey kept plugging away, though, with Carter Hackett held up over the line as they pushed for a bonus-point try and eventually the referee finally discovered his yellow card to send Thomas White to the sin bin for a deliberate knock on after a string of penalties.
Time was in the red, though, and the home side had no time to make their numerical advantage count.
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