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Old Reigatian RFC

1st XV v Thurrock, Papa Johns Cup R1 – 1st April, 2023, Match Report

On Saturday Old Reigatian 1st XV hosted Thurrock 1st XV in the first round of the new Papa John Community Cup. This Cup brings together Clubs from the South of England leagues who play at the same level.

Therefore in the Old Reigatian draw we have Clubs from as far west as Truro and north to Norwich. As with any new competition it is not clear how well it will go down with supporters and players but the Reigate team and Thurrock who had travelled down from Essex provided a competitive fixture and some great tries for those who come along to support.

Any team from Essex will have a pack of forwards happy to mix it with the opposition and not to take a step backwards but on the day the speed and handling of the Home team was a bit too much for the Essex Club.

With 8 minutes on the clock Max Coyle got his first opportunity to show his pace and his first try of the afternoon was converted by Lucas Overtoom as the home side took an early 7-0 lead.

With the game seeming to be a closely fought game it was again OR’s that added to their lead. Jack Baart broke the defensive line while juggling the ball behind his back but somehow managed to hold on to and find Harrison Mitchell in support for him to score the second try no conversion this time 12-0.

Again Thurrock having their fair share of field position and possession but a lapse in concentration and the ball was dropped Max Coyle was the first to react kicking the ball down field and he won the foot race to touch down his second try. Overtoom’s conversion was good and after half an hour Reigatian were looking comfortable with a 19-0 lead. Not everything going the home sides way as after 35 minutes Jack Baart was shown a yellow card to end his participation in the first half.

Despite being a man down with almost a repeat of the last try but this time it was Fin Coyle who managed to hack downfield a loose ball but it was his brother Max who scored claiming his hat trick before half time. No conversion 24-0. With seconds left on the clock for the half it was time that Reigatian showed their class, with a number of players interpassing down the left wing including the Coyle brothers again full back Sam Turner but involved twice was Finlay Lock who finished off the move to score the best try of the afternoon and with conversion the half time score was 31-0.

Doubtful the second hald was ever going to live up to the tempo of the first with the result already settled. But eight minutes into the half Finn Coyle found some space and scored a good individual try under the post Overtoom converted to move the score to 38-0.

Thurrock had travelled to far to lay down and let the game run too far away from them and they kept competing and they got their just rewards with a converted try from some good Rugby.

After 20 minutes of the second half young Matt Wickham only playing his second 1st XV fixture showed his class by being on the end of a number of phases to score a great try again Overtoom made no mistake with his kicking.

A solid start to the Cup with a 45-7 win. Next up it’s Newbury Blues away on the 15th. They have had a good season finishing 3rd just behind our old friends from Southampton Tottonians.

1. Reilly Franklin-Talbot, 2.Ciaran Nestor, 3. Ethan Monk, 4. Dan Jones, 5. Dan Grant, 6. Sam Foreman, 7. Finlay Lock, 8. Jack Baart, 9. Matt Wickham, 10. Ben Holder, 11. Harrison Mitchell, 12. Lucas Overtoom, 13. Max Coyle, 14. Finn Coyle, 15. Sam Turner 16. Jonny Long, 17. Oli Brooks, 18. Rob Williamson

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