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Garry’s Hat Trick Not Enough
GUERNSEY RAIDERS 41 CANTERBURY 23
by Chris Fullbrook
With both sides unbeaten so far this season, Canterbury knew they were facing a stern test as they travelled to Guernsey for round 4 of their National 2 East campaign. It proved to be a trip beyond them as they failed to make the most of their chances, despite a hat trick of tries from wing Garry Jones.
The city side started the stronger of the two, going 8-0 up after five minutes through Jones’ first try and a Frank Reynolds penalty goal. The visitors should have gone further ahead but squandered opportunities when camped on the Guernsey try line as the home side stood resolute.
A penalty kick from Ciaran McGann, after a Canterbury indiscretion, was followed by a quick break and slick hands from the Guernsey back line allowing McGann to ghost through the defence to score and convert his own try. From here on the hosts didn’t let go of their lead. Jones did close the gap, scoring his and his team’s second try leaving the half-time score at 17-13 with Reynolds normally trusty boot unable to add the extras.
As in this season’s previous games, Canterbury became responsible for their own demise as the penalty count increased giving Guernsey the platform to put the game to bed. Three unanswered tries, two scored by back row Welch from catch and drive mauls and one from winger Smith and a McGann conversion took the Raiders lead out to 34-13.
Canterbury, however, did not roll over and enjoyed a purple patch in the third quarter of the game and pressure from their pack gave the opportunity for Frank Morgan to put Jones in at the corner for his hat-trick. Reynolds conversion from out wide and a further penalty gave the visiting side a glimmer of hope, but when a scoring chance was missed at a lineout two metres from the Guernsey line not only the win but also the prospect of valuable bonus points went begging.
To add insult to injury Guernsey had the last say of the match with a try from full-back Roberts, converted by McGann, to earn his side a-deserved victory.
With this loss Canterbury relinquished their position at the top of National 2 East and need to bounce back next week when they entertain one of the league’s newcomers Havant to the Marine Travel Ground.
Canterbury: H.Young, G.Jones, F.Morgan, W.Waddington, K.Heatherley, F.Reynolds, T.Williams, A.Cooper, E.O’Donoghue, D.Herriott, D.Irvine. J.Stephens. S.Rogers, H.Furneaux, T.Oliver . Replacements, N.Morris, E.Lusher, P.Farrance, C.Thomas, M.Campbell.
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