Guernsey’s Siam heroes are showered with champagne within minutes of retaining the famous old trophy in front of a 3,000-plus crowd at a boisterous Foote’s Lane. (Picture by Serena Tremlett, 0574146)

THE best performance of the season was saved for the biggest occasion as Guernsey made history by retaining the Siam Cup on Saturday.

More than 3,000 people were at Foote’s Lane to watch the green-and-whites once again defy their league position to beat Jersey – who will play two divisions above the Sarnians next season – 22-13.

And on a day that saw Tongans, New Zealanders, Australians and South Africans as well as players from all over the British Isles grace the pitch, it was a local boy who deservedly took the plaudits and the man-of-the-match award. Jim Elliott was nothing short of awesome, opening the scoring with a brilliant individual effort before playing much of game with his head swathed in bandages after having been caught by a stray knee in a tackle.