In a thrilling match, in which the lead changed hands eight times in the second half, Havant, through Joel Knight, kicked a penalty with the final play of the match to secure a draw with a try bonus point and break their six-game losing streak. At one point close to the end Havant were playing with 13 men for seven minutes and were defending their line ferociously to keep Guernsey out. Guernsey themselves had won five ‘on the bounce’ and were one of the league’s form teams. They are an efficient outfit.

Havant made four changes to the side that lost to London Welsh in its last outing in October and are now getting closer to being injury free. Jacob Knight returned after his own injury to replace Tom Gwyther, Cam Boa came in for Sean Shepherd who reverted to the bench alongside Colin Sisk in a swap for Ben Holt. Sam Trodd was back after a five-match lay-off to replace Dylan Evans. On the replacement’s bench there was also a welcome return after a few weeks out injured, for Harrison Young. Guernsey made five changes to the side that beat Westcombe Park two weeks ago, including half of their pack. Sam Boyland came in for Dayle Rutledge at scrum half, Liam Welsh replaced Matt Creber on the blindside, Lewis Hiller in for Charlie Wilkinson in the 2nd row, Sam Stevenson for Joe Wrafter at tight head and Martinas Dromontas for Charlie Currie on the other side of the scrum.

On a bright, fairly mild afternoon, Guernsey kicked off and Havant had all of the possession for the first two minutes, without threatening. However, the eagle-eyed Guernsey centre Jonathon Dawe spotted an opportunity for an intercept by standing his ground in midfield, taking the ball and running from inside his own half to score. Ciaran McGann converted to make it 0-7 after 3’.

Havant continued to threaten in the early stages despite the score, with all the play taking place in the Guernsey half. The side squandered good attacking chances through a ‘not straight’ throw at the lineout and then conceded a penalty for a ruck infringement. Ben Holt, who had a strong game in his first full appearance of the season, produced an excellent turnover close to halfway (on 8’) to nullify a threatening Guernsey move with the away side conceding a penalty as a result. Reuben Knight kicked expertly to the 5m line. Dylan Read won the lineout and a few drives followed, the last of which, from Jez Smith, gave Havant the score, just to the left of the attacking side’s posts. Joel Knight converted to make it 7-7 on 11’.

Havant were straight back at it. They won a penalty in midfield. The ball was taken up through several pairs of hands with a good Ben Holt break making a serious inroad into the heart of the Guernsey defence. The ball went right and Ben Griffin timed his pass well to put Sam Trodd in, coming across from his own wing on 14’. Joel Knight converted to make it 14-7.

The referee was strict on his interpretation of the off-side rule throughout the match (which made for a better game in my view) and a Havant incursion gave Guernsey decent attacking ball for the first time. However, their line kick missed touch and Ben Griffin was able to run the ball out. Guernsey, now with more possession, came back at Havant. The Guernsey scrum-half, Sam Doyle, made a good break through the middle, the ball went through the backs who sent the wing Ethan Smith over on the right in the corner. The conversion was missed making it 14-12 to the home side on 21’.

From the kick-off Havant conceded a penalty which Guernsey kicked to the halfway line. Havant chose to contest the ball, which was overthrown and Jack Colbourne, playing against his old side, took possession.

Havant attacked and a lovely loop move in the backs, inspired by Reuben Knight gave the home side a real attacking platform. The ball went to Will Perry who moved it on to Ben Holt and resulted in the away side conceding a penalty on the ‘22’. That move came to nothing but not long after Havant put together one of their best moves of the match, involving many pairs of hands, a good Ben Holt thrust (again) and a Will Perry break that made 25 metres. The move continued and eventually an unselfish scoring pass from Cam Boa gave Sam Trodd the touchdown to the left of the posts for his second on 26’. Joel Knight converted to make it 21-12 and Havant playing well.

On 28’ Havant, still in the ascendency, forced another penalty although they might be accused also of trying to do too much in and around their own ‘22’, probably through renewed confidence. Guernsey had more front foot ball and Jack Colbourne was consistently making strong tackles to nullify attacks. The referee, noting a more feisty and vigorous approach from both sides, had a word with two players at exactly the right moment.

Havant were now really creaking at the scrum which was to prove an increasing challenge. The side conceded a penalty and then, in attempting to run the ball out from deep conceded a scrum knock-on 5 metres out. With a dominant scrum, and penalties conceded, Havant were in full defensive mode and really tackling hard to keep Guernsey out. Inevitably the score came, from the Raiders No8 Josh Poulet, converted by McGann. This made it 21-19 on 36’. The scrum troubles continued with a penalty conceded and a lineout to the away side on the right. A ‘not straight’ throw relived pressure and a further penalty gave an attacking chance with the Havant crowd really finding its voice. The kick to touch didn’t quite go as far as it should have into the ‘22’ and the chance was lost. 21-19 at half-time.

From the kick-off Havant immediately had possession and Sam Trodd, looking for work all over the pitch, made a good break, beating two players. Both sides were conceding turnover ball but eventually Havant had good attacking possession on the left. A chance it seemed to really put a gap between the sides. Joel Knight put a good kick though to about 30m out with Guernsey having the lineout. From here however, the Guernsey tight forwards came into the game fully and a slightly changed gameplan meant that Havant were now seeing little of the ball and conceding penalties, particularly at the scrum. Jacob Knight was ‘yellow-carded’ for a ruck offence as Havant defended their line. Inevitably the try came. The home side were defending well but constant sorties from the forwards resulted in a score on the right for flanker Liam Welch, converted by McGann, to make it 21-26 on 53’ and the lead for Guernsey for the first time since the second minute.

At this point the game entered a new phase as the lead was continuously exchanged between the two sides. Nick Stoffel replaced Jarod Leat, to give the scrum new impetus and energy. From the try kick-off Craig Durnin turned over possession and Havant won a penalty which was kicked to the 5m line. Havant took the ball with an aggressive drive led by Jez Smith before Angus Southon crashed over under the posts. Joel Knight converted to make it 28-26 on 55’.

Three minutes later Guernsey went ahead. Regular attacks opened-up lots of space with Guernsey having scoring options everywhere but wisely sending it right where Josh Poulet went in for his second. The try was converted by McGann to make it 28-33 on 60’.

Havant now made big changes to the forwards with Sean Shepherd, Harrison Young (welcome back!) and Wes Dugan now on the field and Jacob knight returning after his yellow card. An excellent 50/22 from Sam Trodd almost straight after the restart gave the home side great attacking possibilities. Dylan Read took the lineout and a series of forceful drives set up the position from which Ben Holt went over to the left of the posts. Joel Knight again converted to make it 35-33 to Havant on 62’.

Colin Sisk replaced the excellent Ben Holt on 65’ at scrum-half. It seemed that Havant might back up their own score. Wes Dugan made good ground and Ben Griffin then broke through to the ‘22’ with a marked Sam Trodd outside him. He decided against the pass, but a penalty was conceded at the ruck close to the away side’s line. Guernsey broke free and it was only a try-saving tackle from Wes Dugan (I think) that saved Havant. But Guernsey were now back in the ascendant with Havant conceding a ruck penalty in their own half.

This is when rugby is at its best. Both sides playing well, both going full bore for the win, and tackling like demons. An absorbing spectacle and great to see.

On 69’ Dylan Read was given a yellow card for a high tackle and Guernsey in prime position to score. Two minutes later Havant were down to 13 players with Joel Knight also yellow-carded for the same offence. Inevitably Guernsey scored, with so much space to work in and with prime attacking ball. The score came out on the right from Ciaran McGann who missed the conversion. Now 35-38 on 73’.

From the kick-off Guernsey knocked the ball on (which they did at least four times). Havant, still with thirteen players on the pitch, had an attacking scrum. They won a penalty and went to the corner. The forwards, sensing blood, were bashing the Guernsey defensive line and Sean Shepherd had the time to pirouette his way over the try-line to score. Reuben Knight converted to make it 42-38 on 75’.

With Dylan Read back on, Havant now had fourteen players on the pitch. Two minutes to go and Guernsey were on the march. Havant were hard in the tackle, but Guernsey determined in their attack. A penalty advantage gave Guernsey free ball and they scored under posts through Welch again. The try was converted by McGann making it 42-45 and seemingly little time left.

From the kick-off, Guernsey dropped it again and Havant won a penalty, but over-ambition with the kick meant it missed touch. Havant then won a penalty under the posts and tapped it (it seemed a poor decision at the time) but the Guernsey side were penalised for not retreating and Joel Knight had a kick under the posts to earn Havant the draw.

He kicked it, Hooks Lane exploded and the match ended at 45 points all with great credit to both sides for giving us such wonderful entertainment. The right result.

Havant move up a place to tenth, while Guernsey drop two places to seventh. Next Saturday Havant take on Barnes away from home and this improved performance will give them the belief that they can travel to South-West London and win. (DOUG MILLER)