Last Saturday Old Reigatian were again at home and hosting Chiswick RFC. For the second game in a row the game got off to a bad start having lost Sam Turner in the warm up against Totts they lost Ed Forsyth with a hamstring injury. This was to be Ed first 1st XV appearance this season and we all wish him a speedy recovery. Quickly Finn Coyle who had returned from an event early found himself going from a spectator to on the Bench, but the coaching staff very grateful to have Finn there ready to cover.
Chiswick who are new to this league have made an impressive start with two bonus point wins over Winchester and Hove. So again we knew they would provide a stern test.
The game started with such a high tempo and OR’s moving the ball with confidence and looking so dangerous with the ball in hand. Not just the backs but Prop Paul Marshall young flanker Oli Brooks showing immense work rate. But as always leading from the front and making his 100th appearance for Old Regatian 1st XV Sam Foreman was his normal high octane performance where he covered so much ground and tackling anything in a Chiswick shirt.
The start continued with OR’s camped in Chiswick half before a clearance from the Chiswick 9 was directed point blank range straight into Adam Tarpey chest who did incredibly well to hang onto the ball and cross the whitewash for the first try of the game. With both Turner and George Perry injured OR’s called on scrum half Alex Skinner to take on the kicking duties the third league game and the third kicker. Sadly Alex missed the conversation from wide out.
This try seemed to shake the Chiswick team into action and they started to roll their pack forward and their experienced flyhalf used his excellent kicking game to get his forwards operating in the right areas of the pitch.
Chiswick showed why they are unbeaten with the majority of possession in the second half and any chances Regatian had of building a attack were stopped by unforced errors or the sound of the Ref’s whistle. Discipline continues to hold OR’s back in their multi phase game plan and something the squad need to address if they want to be mixing with the top sides in this league.
Chiswick dominated for long periods and no body could fault the effort and commitment of the lads in Blue & Green.
Skinner was successful with a penalty but sadly there was no response to Chiswick four tries to give them a third BP win 8 – 24. Again Reigatian will take the positives away with them. The game when executed correctly not only superbly entertaining to watch but looking dangerous from all areas, but they have to operate at a higher level than Saturday and stay on the right side of the Ref. They will regroup this week following a heart felt talk after the game when an emotional centurion Foreman gave his honest appraisal of the performance. Chobham are next up and hopefully the team will continue to build and improve.
Old Reigatian 8 – 24 Chiswick