This seemed to dent the confidence of the team and with a few injuries in key positions they lost the next two fixtures heavily and slipped to 4th in the league with Old Alleynians & Medway moving above them. Credit to the squad they kept working hard and boosted by the return of Dan Jones, Sam Foreman Tom Woodford & Oli Brooks albeit in a new position of Hooker and also Club Stalwart Mike “Seal” Layzell making a rare appearance at Tight Head Prop there seemed a renewed confidence and knowing that Saturday it was the Former Players Diner before Kick Off with over 150 booked in for Lunch the A XV kicking off early at Home it was certainly a day to return to form.
Within the first five minutes there was certainly more energy and tempo in the Regaitian’s play with half backs Skinner and Holder moving the ball quickly away from the breakdown and causing Gravesend serious concerns.
The early pressure manufactured a Line Out close to Gravesend line. The Visitors were under a lot pressure with a driving Maul only for returnee Dan Jones break away and force himself over the line taking a few Gravesend players with him. Lucas Overtoom added the extras and 7-0 lead established early on. A few minutes later OR’s were again awarded a Penalty that Overtoom had no hesitation in taking bringing the score to 10-0.
This remained the score until close to Half Time when Gravesend released their massive Fijian No 8 who run through a number of willing, if not successful tacklers to score. Gravesend took to extra points to give the half time score of 10-7. Probably not a true reflection of the Home Sides dominance.
The second half continued like the first with good endeavour but little return, however Overtoom managed two penalties in the first half an hour making the score 16-7 the second penalty being thirty minutes into the half and finally making Gravesend needing two score. It was not until the 42nd minute that Ben Holder put a perfectly weighted kick through for Max Coyle to chase and score with the last move of the fixture.
The conversion was unsuccessful giving the final score of 21-7. Special mentions to replacement back Tom Baldwin who has been outstanding for the Colts this season and looked completely at home in the 1st XV when he came off the bench and massive congratulations to Jack Baart & Lucas Overtoom who were presented with their 50th 1st XV appearances Caps post match.
Huge relief to get back to winning ways. Last game league against Sidcup in two weeks with OR’s one point behind Medway who play league leaders Old Alleynians so all to play for to finish third in the league which would be Old Reigatian highest ever finish in the history of the Club beating last seasons 4th place.
1. Reilly Franklin-Talbot 2. Oli Brooks 3. Mike Layzell 4. Dan Jones 5. Dan Grant 6. Sam Foreman 7. Finlay Lock 8. Jack Baart 9. Alex Skinner 10. Ben Holder 11. Max Coyle 12. Lucas Overtoom 13. Gareth Stephens 14. Harrison Mitchell 15. Tom Woodford
16. Harry Plowman 17. David Niven 18. Tom Baldwin
