Rapid Fire Start Sees Reeds Extend their Winning Run
REGIONAL 2 SOUTH EAST
OLD REIGATIANS 14 REEDS WEYBRIDGE 34
Injuries and availability issues resulted in both sides having to field changed XV’s for this match, one of Reeds oldest fixtures, and they came away with a bonus point win, and clocked up a record breaking six league wins on the trot at this level. Conditions were perfect for running rugby and it was Reeds who had the best of the territory in the first half firing the ball around in the back division. Reeds were checked some ten metres out, a rolling maul shunted play forward, quick hands put centre Josh Clark in space and he handed off the flailing defence to score under the sticks for a seven pointer. Reeds were on the march, deep in Reigatians territory, locking them into a defensive posture, in those circumstances it’s easy for over eager defences to stray offside and Reeds played composed sensible rugby mixed with moments of flair with full back Pete Cole slotting two huge, long-range shots to put Reeds into a thirteen-point lead. Twenty-five minutes in, and Reigatians conceded a morale sapping score, it came from a pinpoint cross field kick that was seized upon by Aaron Endeley who offloaded to outside centre Matt Stevenson – he is seriously quick, and sped down the touch line to score under the sticks, despite the best efforts of Reigatian number 8 Finn Lock who was a menace at the breakdown all game long, for a twenty-point lead at the change round.
Cue the start of the second half and Reeds were continuing to win plenty of possession from the lineouts by way of skipper Herbie Finn and that enabled Reeds to set up a series of attacks deep into Reigatian territory. Pete Cole the full back came into the line and side stepped his way through the cover from short distance for a converted try and a twenty-seven-point lead. It was the Reigatian skipper, prop forward Reilly Franklin Talbot, who led the fightback, he is a real handful in the loose and he was at the heart of a forward rumble that gave just enough space for winger Will Parker to force his way over the line for a seven pointer. Reeds then lost a forward to the bin and Reigatians took full advantage of the situation, another rumble, and skipper Franklin Talbot touched down again with his men looking good for more points at 14 – 27. Old Reigatians were playing more cohesively now than any other point in the game and they were camped in Reeds half. Two further two converted tries could give them the game and the packed touchline of Reigatian support sensed there was a possibility of a come-back. However, Reeds broke out of their half, through back rower Chuggs Wallis, and drove play downfield and were awarded a penalty in the twenty-two. Skipper Finn decided to run the ball, centre Josh Clark made ground, but he was checked, but in a magical piece of ball handling, flicked a pass out of the back of his hand, to his brother Marcus Clark who touched down to put the result beyond doubt at 34 – 14. Aaron Endeley the winger was awarded the Man of the Match Award, his defensive contributions were crucial when Reigatians were fighting to get back into the game. Debutant Baffour Agyapong-Ntrah looks an exciting prospect and consistently carried well in his first outing as well as securing a few turnovers.
Man of the Match, Aaron Endeley
Debutant Baffour Agyapong-Ntrah
Team: Lennan Day (VC) / Rhys Day / Baffour Agyapong-Ntrah / Robbie Adam / Herbie Finn (C) / George Corner / Chuggs Wallis / Joe Wastie / Ollie Palmer / Jack Jesty / Marcus Clark / Matt Stevenson / Aaron Endeley / Pete Cole
No league fixture next weekend, the next fixture will be a Home game against Sidcup (who have scored the most points and conceded the least in the league) on Nov 9th. KO 2:30
George Spinks – 07860 394687