With four first choice backs either back from injury and unavailability the Coaches were hoping for a dry pitch with no wind. However that was never going to be the case and well done to the grounds staff to allow the game to go ahead. With a pre match lunch of over 80 people to celebrate the Ladies day, there was little expectations of the crowd venturing outside when staying in the Club House and watching from the balcony seemed a much better option!
Saturday morning Dartfordians in their first year in the league sat one place higher than OR’s but with exactly the same record of 4 Wins & 6 Losses. In recent weeks the Reigate team have had a lot of injuries to cope with and it was hoped the return of some senior players would help to steady the ship.
The opening moments of the game were close exchanges and the Home team looked to have a slight advantage at Scrum time the Line Outs were a lottery in the strong wind. But Reigatian’s tried to play their normal brand of running Rugby and despite the conditions in the 12th minute right wing Harrison Mitchell scored a well worked try from a scrum. Kicking was always going to be almost impossible therefore no conversion OR’s lead 5-0. Both teams continued to make the best of the conditions and it wasn’t until 22 minutes into the half that Mitchell stuck again in the right hand corner as the backs moved the ball across the park from a Line Out on the opposite wing. 10-5. This was the only other score in the first half.
The Home side continued to look the most dangerous side in the second half with Prop Ciaran Lee carrying the ball with intent and making great ground and any time Dartford had the ball The Reigatian back row of Sam Foreman, Finlay Lock & Man of the Match Joey Goldsmith were on hand to crop their legs and make sure the attack was halted. After 8 minutes of the second half the home pack drove for the line from a scrum and No8 Goldsmith controlled the ball to make sure another try to OR’s 15-0. Dartford were never going to give up and fought well to work their way up field and claim their first try after an hour of play again the Dartford kicker having no joy with conversions 15-5. Last weeks Captain Alex Skinner had been nursing a sore hamstring all week so after 60 minutes it was time to rest and last seasons colts scrumhalf Ali Webb took to the pitch, Ali was in good company with fellow ex colt Tom Baldwin now an established 1stXV Regular player. Ali never looked out of place and with his second touch of the ball spotted a gap and shot through and over the try line to claim a try scoring bonus point. Ali clearly has many more 1st XV games ahead of him! 20-5. Only five minutes later Reigatian were crossing the line ahgain with Finn Coyle coming off his wing to appear mid field with a great line to push the score on to 25-5. Considering the conditions it was a great performance. Last but not least the home side moved into the 22 with a Line Out. Forward Coach & Harlequins Hooker George Head had been working with the pack on variations to the normal Line Out calls with him on the sidelines encouraging the use of what they had worked on in training! One such call was made and with the Dartford line out not really sure what had happened Hooker Ciaran Nestor was over the try line to score, Great delight and celebrations and certainly a try straight from the training sessions. Dartfordians did have the final say with a try in injury time but a final score of 30-10 was a good reflection of the game and great to see Old Reigatian back to winning ways. This was also backed up with an impressive win for the 2nd XV on Rosslyn Park 4G pitch with a 17-19 win against their Nomads and the Vets beat Old Emanuel 37-0 in the Mud! Great weekend if a bit cold and wet!
1. Ciaran Lee 2. Ciaran Nestor 3. Reilly Franklin Talbot © 4. Dan Grant 5. Dan Jones 6. Sam Foreman 7. Finlay Lock 8. Joey Goldsmith 9. Alex Skinner 10. Ben Holder 11. Finn Coyle 12. Tom Baldwin 13. Tom Allen 14. Harrison Mitchell 15. Tom Woodford 16. Toby Collister 17. Ali Webb 18. Jonny Bridges
