They will go into their final game of the Women’s NC Two South East (South) campaign away to third-placed Seaford Scarlets this weekend trailing leaders Dorking, who have completed their programme, by just two points thanks to an impressive 70-8 victory over East Grinstead last Saturday at Footes Lane.
The first half, in particular, was a thrilling showcase of rugby, with every pass finding its mark as the forward pack and backline worked in perfect harmony, executing their plays seamlessly.
Tiegan Batiste made an immediate and powerful impact in her debut, drawing on her extensive rugby experience to strengthen the team’s performance.
Aideen Le Prevost and Ness Brown formed an unstoppable duo, with the former powering through defenders with her dominant runs and expertly offloading to the lightning-fast Brown, who finished off several impressive tries.
However, it was Le Prevost who opened the scoring five minutes in, receiving the ball and slicing through the middle of the East Grinstead defence before Chelsea Blondel expertly added the conversion.
That was to be one of her three tries, while Brown touched down four times.
In the second half, East Grinstead raised their game, while the Guernsey Raiders Ladies experienced a brief lapse in concentration, allowing the visitors to capitalise and score their first try.
Captain Kayleigh Oliver further extended the GRL lead, though. Having worked tirelessly, she received an offload from Le Prevost just 10m from the try line and, with a combination of strength and deft footwork, powered past the defenders to score.
With the backline perfectly positioned, a timely offload from Daisy Travers launched Molly Farrell through the defensive line.
She evaded East Grinstead’s full-back with a sharp step, powering her way under the posts to add another try to the scoreboard.
After Brown was replaced by Emily Wright, the new scrum-half quickly took the ball and came within inches of scoring, stopped just a metre short.
However, Travers reacted swiftly, picking up the ball from the ruck and leaping over the line to add a well-deserved five points to the scoreboard on a day when she was named back of the match while Elle Murphy took the forward of the match accolade.
Overall, the game was a fantastic team effort, with every try the result of seamless collaboration and hard work from the entire squad. Each player contributed to the success, showcasing the strength of their collective teamwork.
One of the East Grinstead players, who had faced GRL a couple of seasons ago with Tonbridge Juddians, even remarked, ‘this is a completely different team – your ladies have improved massively’.
With the Siam fast approaching, though, coaches Steve Evans and Steve Melbourne will ensure training intensifies as the team must remain focused on maintaining their intensity for the full 80 minutes.
Guernsey Raiders Ladies team
Casas Zarate, Smith, Krasovska, Coyde, Collins, Oliver, K Murphy, Le Prevost, Brown, Blondel, Farrell, Travers, Healing, Ogier, Gidney. Replacements: Le Noury, Batiste, Rushent, Brazil-North, E Murphy, Wright, Tulie.
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