Guernsey win Siam for first time in a decade

Guernsey's men ended ten years of hurt by beating Jersey 46-30 to lift the Siam Cup for the first time since 2008.

The Sarnians were never behind at Footes Lane and withstood some strong second half pressure from the visitors to score two late tries and wrap up victory.

Many had Guernsey as favourites ahead of the match following their promotion to National 2 last weekend, whilst Jersey only fielded two professionals as part of the playing criteria aimed at making the Cup more competitive.

The hosts started the game well and scored tries through Ned Brown and Luke Sayer to open up a 12-0 lead.

Tries from Uili Kolo'ofai - in his last game for the Reds - and a breakaway effort from Alexander Budd came either side of a Guernsey score from Lewis Hillier.

Then Brown got his second to extend the home side's lead to 24-15 but - in a familiar pattern for the match - Liam Rhodes scored for the Caesareans which meant the gap was only two points at half-time.

Dan Hill scored early in the second for Jordan Reynolds' men but, from there, the visitors enjoyed a sustained spell of pressure and Scott McClurg's try, plus a drop goal, got them to within a point.

Just when Guernsey needed something extra though, they found it.

Luke Jones kept his balance to score under the posts and when Anthony Armstrong went over in the corner late on the game was done.

Guernsey, after such a long wait, had their hands back on the Siam Cup once again.