Saturday morning Old Reigatian sat top of the league by one point from Battersea and two points behind them was Reeds so a top of the table clash.
Sam Foreman lead the Reigate team with 1st Captain Reilly Franklin- Talbot having been injured Lucas Overtoom had taken over recently but sadly he suffered a concussion against Old Colfeians last Saturday so Ben Holder was wearing the Ten shirt and Foreman took on the Captaincy.
The game couldn’t have got off to a worse start for Reigatian with the kick off being turned over and a maul formed and somehow a Reeds forward managed to appear out of the maul to run untouched for 25 meters to give the home side a 5-0 lead without a minute on the clock.
As Reigatian played themselves into the game they attacked from a free lick from a Reeds lineout this attack died when the ball was turned over however the loose clearance kick from Reeds 15 gave Max Coyle the chance to counter attack working the ball through multiple phases and finally the ball came back to Max Coyle again who beat one defender than had Alex Skinner on his shoulder in support and Skinner was in for a try to even the scores. Conor Woods added the conversion and Reigatian were 5-7 up after 11 minutes.
The game remained even with Reeds bigger pack winning more of the ball than OR’s but the Reigatian back line certainly asking more questions in attack. With 20 minutes on the clock OR’s attacked down the right wing and with Max Coyle receiving the ball with two defenders to beat, He stepped his opposite number and with only the Fullback to beat he forced his way over route one to place the ball down in the corner. Again 18 year old Conor Woods stepped up and showing a very cool head slotted the conversion 5-14 lead.
Reeds came straight back from the restart and in an attempt to move the ball wide a long pass went straight into touch and it looked like the attack had been halted only for the Ref to award a Penalty in front of the posts for an earlier offence. Reeds decided to take 3 points to move the score to 8-14.
Reeds worked their way down the considerable slope on their pitch and a good kick into the corner gave them a great position to attack from. The Lineout won a driving maul was formed the Reigatian pack defended as hard as they could and stopped the maul gaining ground the ball was moved infield where one of their forwards managed to force his way for a try and with the extra points added the home side were back in the lead 15-14 to end the first half.
Despite the home side now playing up the hill they worked they way close to OR’s line and the ball recycled and moved towards the left wing the Flyhalf breached the OR’s defensive lead via a clear dog leg and managed a good offload to a supporting runner who crashed over the try line. The conversion was good and the home side were now 22-14 ahead. Reigatian clearly needed the next score and only two minutes later a penalty was awarded and Woods once again stepped up to close the gap to 22-17.
With half an hour gone of the second half Reigatian stole the ball mid field and claimed a lineout close the Reeds try line. The Line out was won and the ball came to Captain Sam Foreman who drove over to score a try with ten minutes left on the clock the scores were once again even at 22-22.
With ten minutes left to play Reeds mounted an attack and again came close to the line and a Reeds forward a manged to force himself over close to the line. The conversion was good and once again the Home Team ahead 29-22.
Reigatian tried to build from the restart and tried to come back Tom Allen made a clean break and look to be on his way to the line but solid defence from the home team and the attack finished with no score. That was full time and once again a great game which the home side took the points but all 36 players can be every proud to have contributed to.
With three points separating the top four in this league. Everything still to play for.
Congratulations to Old Reigatian 2nd XV who had a good victory beating Reeds 2nd XV 29-12.
1.Ciaran Lee. 2. Ciaran Nestor 3. Toby Collister 4. Oli Brooks 5. Dan Grant 6. Sam Foreman © 7. Finlay Lock 8. Ryan Taylor Travers 9. Alex Skinner 10. Ben Holder 11. Finn Coyle 12. Tom Allen 13. Gareth Stephens 14. Max Coyle 15. Conor Woods
16. Ethan Monk 17. Sam Lenihan 18. Aran Courtney Walker
