But the Raiders coach was proud of his lads efforts against a Canterbury side who leapfrogged the Guernsey side in the National Two East table and are very much on the rise.
‘Canterbury played really well and are at full strength at the moment,’ said Reynolds, who wishes he could say the same for his own squad, who lost centres Tom Teasdale and Ciaran McGann on the day.
‘I don’t want to start throwing excuses out there, but we had 14 players on the sidelines before we lost our two centres.
‘Ciaran had a head knock and with concussion protocols won’t be available this weekend.
‘Tom tweaked his knee. We’re not sure what he’s done but after having ACLs in both knees, we don’t think it is anything serious like that.’
For all their absences Raiders took a fourth-minute lead through winger Callum Roberts.
McGann added a penalty, but by the break Canterbury were 22-8 ahead and in command, their lineout notably dominant.
Raiders dug in bravely and Reynolds praised his men, believing the scoreline was not a true picture of the game.
‘Regardless of the scoreline our team gave a lot of effort against a good Canterbury side. They are on the rise and we are facing some difficult challenges at the moment.’
Raiders now sit eighth in the table fast closing on the halfway point of the season.
This weekend they host old rivals Barnes at Footes Lane, the visitors just two spots and five points ahead of the Guernsey side in the table.
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