With Temperatures in the early 30’s the Weather was better suited to Cricket than Rugby but at 15:00 the game started with extra water breaks agreed.
The Reigate team couldn’t have got off to a better start with the first line out won the ball was moved across the park with slick handling then strong runs from Dan Jones and Ciaran Nestor the backs then attacked down the blind side with Tom Allen joining the line from Full Back scoring in the corner and within two minutes Conor Woods had added the conversion and the Visitors were 0-7 ahead.
From another on the left hand side of the pitch and the ball wasmoved quickly across the back line Max Coyle rounded hiswinger and with the full back to beat passed the ball inside to Finlay Lock who crashed over for the second try in 4 minutes. Again Woods kick was good 0-14.
With the game looking to be a bit one sided Cornish reminded ORs why you cannot let your concentration slip. Old Reigatian had a line out on their own 22 and with the throw just too long for Dan Grant Cornish collected the ball with their strong running No8 who broke Sergaent’s tackle to win the race to the line. The conversation was missed 5 – 14.
This time from a Cornish line out won easily at the back of the line and moved into midfield. This was switched back with their fly half finding a gap in the OR’s defensive line. Captain Reilly Franklin – Talbot managed to make the tackle but he had got past the gain lin and a couple of decent offloads to support runners gave Cornish their 2nd try, this time the conversion was good and the game was within two points 12-14.
Two minutes later Reigatian had responded with some great flowing Rugby considering the heat the ball was kept alive and moved from one side of the pitch and back again and again Coyle finding space out wide but this time in support was Hooker Nestor who scored in the corner. 12 – 19.
Reigatian were playing some outstanding Rugby with a scrum just outside their 22 they had th e confidence to run it from there and once again Max Coyle caused Cornish all sorts of problems down the right wing and again it was openside flanker Finlay Lock on his shoulder to take the try scoring pass and increase the lead to 12 – 26 with Woods adding the conversion.
Just before Half Time Cornish showed that they were more than capable of getting their back line moving with simple hands from a line out and their right winger managed to just squeeze over in the corner. With an outstanding kick the gap was closed to 19-26 at Half Time.
The second half understandably was as high tempo as the first half with energy levels dropping as the heat of the day took its toll.
However three minutes into the Half OR’s had a lineout 5 metres out from the home try line. Dan Grant secured the line out and the rest of the pack joined him to drive Cornish back over their own line with Ciaran Lee to score a try in only his second game for the Club. With another Woods conversion 19 – 33.
London Corish were certainly going to keep fighting to stay in the game and within six minutes they were camped on the visitors line and credit to Reigatian defensive holding firm finally a little kick through and a Cornish back won the foot race to add the downward pressure. Another good kick 26-33. One score in it half an hour left. However this was to be the last try of the game it was left to the reliable boot of Woods to add a Penalty to make sure there was a two score difference between the Teams at the final whistle.
Any win away from home is welcome and London Cornish has been a very difficult place to win over the years so the squad were very pleased to get a 5 point win.
A great team effort in those conditions and great to get a second bonus point win. There are now four teams with a perfect return after two rounds. Battersea Ironsides, Cobham, Beckenham & Old Reigatian. Long way to good but a good start.
1. R. Franklin – Talbot © 2. C.Nestor, 3. T.Collister, 4. D. Jones, 5. D.Grant, 6. O. Brooks 7. F. Lock, 8. W. Godwin, 9. A. Skinner, 10. C. Woods, 11. A. Courtney – Walker 12. L. Overttom. 13. G. Stephens. 14. M. Coyle 15. T. Allen.
16. C. Lee. 17. S. Courtney -Walker 18. Max Nicol
