The two early Guernsey scores came from prop Bryce Stockton and scrum-half Charlie Simmonds in what was the customary ‘slow’ start away from home for Havant. Both were converted by fly-half Gwyn Parks. Havant woke up and Colin Sisk, back at scrum half, scored in reply, with Reuben Knight converting, to make it 14-7 on 14’. But most were probably seeing this score as an anomaly as two quick tries from centre Ciaran McGann saw the lead stretch out to 26-7 on 25’. The last of these was converted by Parks.

An Angus Southon score, converted by Reuben Knight made it 26-14 on 29’ which is where it stood at half-time. Havant were fully in the game and by all accounts were beginning to dominate in the run-up to the break with Guernsey’s Joel Broadhurst receiving a yellow card on 36’. This became 26-21 on 51’ as Angus Southon scored again, with Reuben Knight converting. Havant were playing good rugby, and a lot of it in Guernsey’s half. Two yellow cards, first to Parks on 52’ and then to Stockton nine minutes later, told a tale of the pressure being exerted. Havant were rewarded with a Sam Trodd score on 62’ which Reuben Knight converted from the touchline for a 26-28 lead. The try bonus was secured but it could have been more. Havant had taken a lead which had seemed improbable at 26-7 earlier.

With ten to go, Guernsey kicked a penalty (the returning Parks again) and then close to the final whistle scored a try through Stockton, also reappearing after his transgression. Parks converted to make it 36-28. Havant were deprived of what would have been a well-deserved losing bonus point.

A word of congratulation for Seb Burgess who came on in the 60th minute for Freddie Ferson, to make his Havant debut. Before the first-team game the third team had been in action against Guernsey’s second team in Counties 2 Hampshire. A Guernsey team containing seven players who have played a considerable amount of national league rugby over the last two seasons beat a Havant side who fought to the end, 61-7.

As well as Havant’s match, there were a whole series of tight games with, apart from Guernsey, all of the top seven sides playing away. The first place to go is Jersey, where the home side led leaders Oundle 14-0 in the first half and were right in it at 19-19 on 73’, and playing well. Oundle, however, reasserted themselves right at the end and second-row Chester Owen scored with replacement Matthew Arden converting to make it 19-26. Jersey are Havant’s opponents at Hooks Lane next Saturday. At Henley, second-placed Esher led 10-26 at half-time before Henley pulled it back to 27-33 with 15’ to go. A 78th-minute score for replacement hooker Lewis Pickford gave the Surrey side the win.

In third, Old Albanian were 12-5 down at half-time at Leicester Lions, before a four-try unanswered blitz for the visitors gave them a cushion of comfort, 26-40 being the final score. Dorking, fourth overnight, were downed by Colchester, 36-33, after Colchester held a 36-19 lead. Two converted tries got Dorking close with a bit of time left and, despite being in the home side’s ‘22’ at the end, they couldn’t find the winning score. Victory for Colchester moves them above Havant into eighth with Guernsey going back above Dorking into fourth.

Barnes, in seventh, were 0-26 up at bottom side Westcombe Park before a ‘Park’ recovery saw them score three converted tries to the single addition for Barnes, leaving the visitors 21-31 victors. It was never that close, but certainly closer than might have been expected before the game. Canterbury remain sixth after a hard-fought 33-39 win at London Welsh with ‘Welsh’ picking up two bonus points in their battle to steer clear of the relegation places. (REPORT BY DOUG MILLER)