IT was a match that neither side really wanted to play, but with the league rules stating that their previous meeting in October was to be scrapped, Guernsey returned and almost pulled off a result that would have really upset Romsey.

But two penalties from fly-half Guy Patterson in the last ten minutes ensured the Sports Centre side maintained the one-point deficit beneath Farnborough at the top of Hampshire Division One with this win.

With both sides heavily depleted through injury and unavailability, with this weekend supposed to be free from league action, this untidy encounter struggled into life with errors galore, especially the visitors, who were giving coach Dave Wallace a coronary on the sidelines.

The hosts, without a catalogue of key players including back-row generals Justin Jeffrey, Jason Lockrose and Richard Samuel as well as Nick Roach and Phil Heaven in the backs, it was a particularly good effort by Bryan Musk's charges to seal this crucial victory.

It certainly did not look likely in the opening quarter as the Sarnians pressurised the Romsey line with regularity but their possession came to nothing, due to a solid defence and their own mistakes.

Guernsey skipper Stuart Lloyd-Jones missed a relatively easy penalty that would have given them a deserved lead and Patterson had the chance likewise, but was way off with the simple kick on the firm but soft underfoot conditions.

The latter made amends when, following a scrum ten metres out, he broke across the field and released impressive full-back Simon Coe to weave over for the opening score.

With their backs notoriously dangerous, Romsey were apt at keeping them quiet and they were resorting to clever passes to foil the opposition. It did not work, although number eight Jim Regnard could have allowed Steve Burt an easy run had he chosen the outside option instead of the inside.

Lloyd-Jones could have put his side on the board with a second penalty but his 35-metre attempt was again wide and the sides turned around with the sole Coe score separating them.

However, the Sarnians turned the game on its head with a surprise tactic and an ironic one, given the reason for the original abandonment back in October.

From almost identical line-out catch and drives, the forwards - not renowned as Guernsey strong suit - piled, as one, over the Romsey line with locks Ian Quennel and Dave McGall claiming the two scores in the space of six minutes.

But, with a five-point lead, the Islanders coach Wallace could not believe his captain refused the simplest of penalties in front of the points that would have stretched the advantage to eight and two clear scores.

It was an error which was to ultimately cost them as Patterson made no mistake with the two match-winning penalties; the first for offside and a subsequent non-retreat of ten minutes and the second when the visitors were caught driving in at the side of a maul.

"It is points on the board," said a relieved Musk. "But I am happy with the victory, although the boys received a rude awakening after the push-over tries.

"However, I cannot complain as this win shows we have the depth of players with many not available. That is particularly pleasing, but I hope to have all the key players back in the squad for the return trip to Guernsey next weekend, which will be a very tough game."

Guernsey coach Wallace is looking forward to that. "We have not lost at home for over 18 months, so we are still in the chase but we have given ourselves a bit to do."

This fixture has now cost Guernsey four league points, with the two still standing from the original game for fielding an unregistered player. "They will be sick of us," concluded Musk.

ROMSEY 11 - GUERNSEY 10