OA’s came out the blocks well moving the ball quickly and giving width to their game. But Reigatian defence holding firm. However after weathering the initial home sides attacks the Visitors stuck with great hands again using the full width of the pitch and the ball finally finding Ciaran Nestor on the right wing to get the score board moving after five minutes. 0-5 with the conversion missed. But this gave OR’s some confidence and again they played some outstanding Rugby with the ball moving through several phases with Tom Allen finishing the move to claim his first try of the afternoon. This time stand in Captain Lucas Overtoom kicked the conversion to make the score 0-12.
Almost straight from the restart Alex Skinner had his attempted Box Kick charged down by the impressive OA’s Lock the kick still went forward but only just. Skipper Overtoom managed to collect the kick and pass to Gareth Stephens coming at great pace to cut straight through the home sides defensive line to score under the posts. Overtoom added the extra points 0-19 with half an hour gone.
With 36 minutes of the first half gone OA’s finally got themselves close to the visitors try line. From a Line Out they managed to form a driving maul and trying to force themselves over the line Reigatian committed players to the maul. When the Ref called for the ball to be released OR’s found themselves short in the defensive line and Alleynians scored under the posts. 7-19.
Some times players manage something that probably really shouldn’t have happened with the players coaches standing back admiring the quality of their player and the opposition coaches wondering why the player had not been tackled on a number of occasions! With Half Time approaching Gareth Stephens received the ball in midfield. Gareth has shown he is a strong player with the ability to break a tackle. He disappeared into a sea of Blue shirts only to reappear on the other side still going dragging a OA’s defender behind him. He couldn’t hang on this left another two defenders which Stephens dispatched with great ease to go over for his second try of the day and with Overtoom kicking the conversion the score moved to 7-26.
Credit to OA’s they continued to play some attractive Rugby with their 13 and 14 looking dangerous with the ball when they got an opportunity. Which came about in the 46th minute of the first half and the home team finally find some space and managed to score a good try to display their quality and why they are where they are in the league. End of the First Half Old Reigatian had a heathly lead 14-26.
The second half proved a complete change from the first with both teams defending superbly with the home team having more possession and territory than the visitors. But Reigatian’s defence was outstanding and never gave an inch. The pressure from OR’s aggressive defence finally forced an error from the OA’s backline. Alex Skinner recovered the loose ball and set off up the pitch looking like he had the pace to make it all the way he managed to trip and fall without a finger being laid on him. Fortunately, his team mates were in support Dan Grant taking the ball on and then passing to Tom Allen to finish the try and claim his second try of the day. Overtoom added the extrat two points this proving to be the only score of the second half. A very pleasing win away from home for the Reigate Team.
Next Saturday the close fixtures continue with Old Reigatian in 5th place take on Medway whoi are 6th. Kick off is 14:00 at Park Lane and all support is more than welcome.
1.Ethan Monk. 2. Ciaran Nestor 3. Toby Collister 4. Ed Cox 5. Dan Grant 6. Sam Foreman 7. Jack Baart 8. Ryan Taylor Travers 9. Alex Skinner 10. Lucas Overtoom 11. Harrison Mitchell 12. Tom Allen 13. Gareth Stephens 14. Sam Turner 15. Conor Woods
16. Harry Plowman 17. Joe Wills
GALLERY WILL FOLLOW ON MONDAY 20th NOVEMBER
