With selection meaning three props in the front row there was the unusual sight of the outside centre throwing into the lineouts. Adam Mendoza and Fiifi Asafu-Adjaye making their debuts however this many changes it was always going to take for the team to gel and from the start Reeds looked comfortable and played some impressive Rugby. With only 8 minutes played Reeds were awarded a Penalty which was converted an early 0-3 lead.
Then in the 17th minute the Reeds strong running 13 forced his way over from short range to score the first try of the afternoon. This was converted 0-10.
From the restart the home team found themselves under pressure but strong and committed defence meant that Reeds managed a penalty after 24 minutes and not until the 41st minute of the first of the first half they scored their second try of the afternoon. Half Time 0-20.
The second was the worse possibly start for the home side with Reeds establishing themselves on Reigatian’s try line, under extreme pressure Sam Turner who had been outstanding all afternoon had a clearance kick charged down with a Reeds player got to first to score under the posts. With half an hour to play 0-27.
Reigatian showed some a lot of heart and rather than giving up and letting their heads drop they gave 150% in defense and started to make inroads up the pitch. One such move saw the ball move to the right wing to find Lock Dan Grant take the ball and made a great break brushing aside a number of defenders and eventually passed inside to Gareth Stephens to finally get OR’s on the scoreboard. 5-27.
This gave the home side more belief and Reigatian took the game to Reeds with the time nearly running out Captain Reilly Franklin Talbot received the ball from a close Penalty and crashed through the defensive line to score close to the points.
Final score 10-27 disappointing result for Old Reigatian but to deny Reeds a try scoring bonus point and to see some lads gain valuable 1st XV experience were the positives to take away.
Hopefully more players to return to fitness and the travellers will return from France as there is now a week off before the lads in Green and Blue take on league leaders and undefeated Beckenham.
1. C. Lee 2. E. Monk, 3. T. Collister, 4.D. Grant, 5. R. Franklin – Talbot © 6. T. Bestwick, 7. A. Mendoza, 8. S. Courtney -Walker 9. S. Turner 10. C. Woods 11. F. Asafu-Adjade 12. G. Stephens 13. M. Coyle 14. H. Mitchell 15. T. Woodford 16. M. Layzell 17. P. White 18. H. Smith
