Old Reigatian have been consistent with selection this season but following the win in the last round against Thurrock, Lock Dan Jones and Scrum Half Matt Wickham were both unavailable their places fielded by experienced 1st XV players Tom Bestwick and Ed Forsyth.
The journey up the M3 didn’t seem to trouble Reigatian players to much, their high tempo game proving hard for Newbury to defend against and with 6 minutes after a numbers of phases and impressive ball retention Tom Bestwick made an early impact getting on the end of he move to get ORs first score of the day 0-5.
Newbury tried running the ball in the wider channels and their bulky flyhalf proved a hard man to bring down! During one attack Harrison Mitchell intercepted a loose pass and made 40 meters he feed inside to support and the ball moved to the opposite wing for fullback Sam Turner to score. Lucas Overtoom added the extra points 0-12.
Six minutes later Finn Coyle received a kick inside his own half and made a break deep into the home team half to find his brother on his inside shoulder Max finished of the score under the posts. Overtoom kicked the conversion for an early 0-19 lead.
Newbury were the next team to score to keep the game alive and the crowd interested. A large crowd were present following Newbury Ladies sealing their league win before the game. 7-19.
The score seem to push OR’s to again up the Tempo and another two tries were added before half time with Toby Collister and Winger Harrison Mitchell taking the score to 7-33, With Half Time approaching Mitchell was given a yellow card and with a man down Newbury managed to score their second try of the day to make the score at half time 14-33.
The second half turned into a two teams swapping scores within 6 minutes Dan Grant was at the back of a driving maul to claim the first points of the half 14-38. However this was closely followed with a try for the home team 21-38.
Reigatian were next with Ed Forsyth finding a hole in the defensive line to score following a good break from Gareth Stephens. 21-43.
Sam Turner was next with his second of the afternoon Reigatian had moved the ball through a number of phases and Turner showed good pace to finish the move. This brought up 50 points for the visitors. Credit to Newbury they didn’t give up and came back again to clinch two more tries. But this wasn’t before Reigatian speed man Fin Coyle had added to his tally this season with him close to scoring a try a match. Final score 35-55.
This moves Old Reigatian into the quarter final of the first Papa John Community Cup and thankfully they have a Home Fixture Next Saturday against Brentwood, kick-off 14:30 at Park Lane.
All support welcome. It is becoming clear that Regional 2 South is a strong league at this level with Reeds, Battersea, Farnham and Reigatian all making the Quarter finals with two Cornish teams Aylesbury and Brentwood.
1. Reilly Franklin-Talbot, 2.Ciaran Nestor, 3. Toby Collister, 4. Tom Bestwick, 5. Dan Grant, 6. Jack Baart, 7. Finlay Lock, 8. Oli Brooks, 9. Ed Forsyth, 10. Lucas Overtoom, 11. Harrison Mitchell, 12. Gareth Stephens, 13. Max Coyle, 14. Finn Coyle, 15. Sam Turner, 16. Alfie Goater, 17. Jonny Long, 18. Rob Williamson
