Reigatian took to the field after some inspirational words from Captain Reilly Franklin Talbot and started the game with such pace and accuracy that within a minute centre Tom Woodford had made a break feed inside him where scrum half Alex Skinner had a clear run in under the posts. 7-0
Both teams settled into the game and after 20 minutes having been camped on the Reigatian line Beckenham finally made it over the line in the corner 7-5 but they had to work very hard to score with some outstanding defence from the home side. The next score was disappointing as ORs worked they way up the field playing open entertaining Rugby but on the 27th minute the Beckenham centre intercepted a pass and ran 80 metres to score. 7-12
In the 32nd minute winger Will Parker received the ball on the Wing and with some great footwork beat his opposite number to score bring the scores level 12-12. Tom Baldwin slotted the conversion to give the home team a 14-12 lead. In what continued to be a great half of Rugby in the 36th minute Finn Coyle was the first to react when the ball went loose ball hack it on to regather and run in from 60 metres to score a great try 19-12 another successful kick from Baldwin. 21-12.
However Beckenham were to have the last word in the first half with a try in the last minute to close the gap to 21-19. All set up for a thrilling second half.
Half time
Only 4 minutes in to the second half and back row forward David Niven crashed his way over the try line to score Baldwin added the points 28-19.
With Beckenham in the attack a penalty was awarded. They kicked for the three points to move themselves to within one score. Then with 24 minutes of the half gone Reigatian were camped on the Beckenham line and as the forwards tried to force they way over the ball was spilled in contact and the Beckenham backs made no mistake and ran the length of the field to score a converted try 28-29. As time ticked by no team could worry the scoreboard and it looked like the League Leaders were going to win a hard fought game. With one last chance coming with a Lineout close to the Beckenham line. With a maul formed the forwards tried to get some go forward but Beckenham over committed to defending the maul and left the blindside clear. Spotted by replacement Prop Val Garrec he broke from the base and broke two tacklers and scored his first try for the Reigatian 1st XV which can’t have been a more important one.
The home team sensibly used up the last minute on the clock before Tom Baldwin kicked the ball dead and Reigatian in what has been a mixed bag of a season had beaten the League Leaders 35-29. What a game and what a result. With the 2nd XV beating Staines 1st XV it was a great weekend for the Blue & Green.
Old Reigatian 1st XV
1. Paul Marshall 2. Ciaran Nestor 3. Ciaran Lee 4. Reilly Franklin Talbot (c) 5. Seb Courtney Walker 6. David Niven 7. Will Godwin 8. Joey Goldsmith 9. Alex Skinner 10. Ben Holder 11. Will Parker 12. Tom Woodford 13. Tom Allen 14. Fin Coyle 15. Tom Baldwin. 16. Ethan Monk 17. Val Garrec 18. Harrison Mitchell
