Guernsey beat Jersey to retain Siam Cup titles
Guernsey have won three of the last four Siam Cup matches
- Published
Ciaran McGann scored a hat-trick as Guernsey reclaimed the men's Siam Cup after a 49-33 win over Jersey at Footes Lane.
The Sarnians, who play in the fourth tier National Two East, eased to victory over a Jersey side that won the sixth-tier Regional Two South Central title this season.
Guernsey led 28-14 at the break as they showed their intent to get revenge for last year's 42-25 loss at St Peter.
Guernsey added three tries after the break to seal their third Siam Cup win in the last four meetings.
The win came after Guernsey's women dramatically won their game against Jersey 17-15 thanks to a last-minute penalty.
Guernsey and Jersey first contested the Siam Cup in 1920
Guernsey were 14-0 up inside the opening 15 minutes after tries from Ethan Smith and Hugo Culverhouse.
Niall McGann made it 21-0 before Charlie Hubert got a try for the visitors soon after.
But Ciaran McGann added to his brother's score before Hubert got a second at half-time approached.
McGann crossed twice early in the second half to end any outside hopes of a Jersey recovery to lead 42-14.
Jack Macfarlane and former Jersey Reds player James Mitchell pulled tries back to make it 42-28 with 20 minutes to go.
But Guernsey replacement Jamie Dunn was mauled over for their seventh try with 17 minutes to go before tempers flared towards the end of the game.
Scott van Breda - another former Reds player - scored an impressive long-range try in the final seconds as Kieran McGann ended with 29 points.
"It couldn't have gone any better," McGann told BBC Radio Guernsey after the win.
"The quick start definitely put us in good stead and it was a complete 80-minute performance.
"Our defence was a lot different to what it was in previous weeks, we were all coming off the line as one and putting in big shots.
"It's something we've lacked in previous weeks, and our attack was on point."
Jersey head coach Myles Landick said: "It was the first half that ultimately cost us.
"Guernsey are a well-drilled side and play National League rugby week in, week out, and you could tell that today.
"For us it's a big step up when you've played level six all season to come and play level four.
"But we knew that, we know what it takes to win a Siam Cup, we've won plenty of them, so we should toast a successful season and be excited for next season."
Guernsey seal dramatic women's victory
Guernsey's women had lost 31-5 to Jersey 12 months ago
Guernsey's women won a dramatic Siam Cup title as Chelsie Blondel's last-minute penalty secured them a 17-15 win over Jersey.
Kayleigh Oliver's try had put Guernsey 7-3 up midway through the first half, but Taye Boake-Yiadom's try put Jersey 10-7 up at the break.
Seren Coombs' try saw Jersey go 15-7 up seven minutes after the interval.
But Marni De Freitas Alves' try made it 15-14 before Blondel's heroics in the final moments.
"I think we work really well as a team and it's just keeping everyone's heads up," Guernsey skipper Oliver told BBC Radio Guernsey.
"Perseverance is what got us there in the end because we were losing for some of it, but we brought it back and got the win in the end."