This Is Guernsey

Nick Barton’s performance with the boot was a plus point for the defeated Guernsey side. (Picture by Tony Pike, 0434619)

London Irish Amateur 23, Guernsey 22
HAVING seen his side pipped at London Irish Amateur and lose third spot in the London Three South-West ladder, Guernsey skipper Andy Bailey was left bemoaning their luck.

‘Yes, a disappointing result and another one-point loss is very frustrating,’ said Bailey.

‘I felt we were the victim of a couple of poor refereeing decisions, particularly the penalty given in the last minute for them to win the game.  That said, we did not start well and were playing catch-up in the second half.  We actually played some great rugby in the second half, Nick Barton, Blair Campbell and Jim Elliott, in particular, standing out.

‘‘Barts’’ also produced his best goal-kicking performance of the year, so there were positives to take from the game.’

In initially difficult windy and rainy conditions, the match started with a few handling errors.

The teams exchanged penalties to be 3-3 but the home side went ahead when Divon Crouse had a kick charged down and, rather fortuitously, the ball lodged in the opposing winger’s midriff, which allowed him to run in a try unchallenged.

That sparked London Irish into life and they backed up that try with sustained pressure which was rewarded by another converted score from a driving maul.

Guernsey responded with two penalties through Barton to go in at the break 17-9 down, but from their first attack in the second half, London Irish kicked a penalty to increase their lead to 20-9.

This in turn sparked Guernsey into life and sustained pressure and numerous infringements saw the London Irish captain and No. 8 sent to the sin bin.

Barton kicked the penalty then, following an attack from deep in their own half, Campbell made a break and fed Barton with a great, long pass on the run.

He, in turn, fed Elliott for him to score and with Barton adding a touchline conversion, Guernsey were back in the game.

With less than two minutes to go, Barton kicked a long-range penalty to put Guernsey in front at 22-20 and with two vital points in the quest for third place in the table within their grasp.

The home side took a rushed restart with everyone making their way back to halfway.

Elliott claimed the ball and Guernsey looked to have the match won, but the referee claimed there had been an obstruction and awarded a penalty on the 10m line, which London Irish duly kicked to win the game.

Bailey said the side now needed to pick themselves up for the final league game of the season, at home to leaders Cobham this Saturday.

‘We certainly want to end the league season on a high with a home win and will be putting all our efforts into achieving that at training this week.’