Reeds Grind Out Win at Gravesend
REGIONAL 2 SOUTH EAST
GRAVESEND 23 REEDS WEYBRIDGE 25
Gravesend Rugby Club were founded in 1880, their clubhouse is a focal point of the community, who turn out in huge numbers to support their heroes, that encouragement so nearly willed them on to victory, but it was a stubborn defensive effort from Reeds, against a powerful set of forwards, that managed to prevent a winning score in the last quarter. Early on Reeds were struggling to hold the big Gravesend forwards at bay, but out wide, in a rare visit to Gravesend territory, Reeds had the bewildering footwork and long legged stride of Marcus Clark and the guile of Josh, his brother, in the centre who caused problems for the Gravesend defence, it was their quick hands which put full back Pete Cole in just enough space, to squeeze in by the flag for a five point lead. It was a short-lived advantage, Gravesend were giving Reeds a hard time in the tight scrums and dominating the territory, that gave them plenty of quality possession allowing Matt Hewitt the No 8 to rumble over from short distance for a five pointer quickly followed by a penalty to give them a three-point lead. But then came the try of the game, Pete Cole, Reeds full back, collected the ball from well within his half, he accelerated up-field, chipped the ball over the defence, the ball bounced kindly and he was under the sticks for a seven pointer to make it 8 – 12. That try alone deserved the Man of the Match Award but he added two match winning long range penalties and a later conversion for a twenty-point haul. It was those two long range penalties that Cole slotted just before the break that kept Reeds in front, because those big Gravesend forwards were providing plenty of chances for their quick men. Perhaps inevitably in those circumstances, Reeds defence strayed offside in the rucks and mauls, let their frustrations boil over, and earned two yellow cards for their indiscipline. Rocky Sims the Gravesend full back barged his way over for a converted try just before the break leaving Gravesend just five points adrift at the change round at 13 – 18.
Gravesend took up residence in Reeds territory for much of the second half but handling was difficult in the very wet conditions and Reeds were delivering some ferocious, bone shuddering tackles, that kept the line secure but they conceded a raft of scrum penalties as the bigger Gravesend pack got on top in the tight. In that last quarter Reeds conceded a penalty that left them with just a two-point advantage, given the run of play, with the Gravesend tanks on Reeds front lawn it was clearly a tenuous lead. However, Reeds, despite several changes to their back line, managed to drive play into the Gravesend twenty-two, they were awarded a penalty in front of the sticks, it was a certain three points that would give them a five-point lead with less than ten minutes on the clock. Skipper Finn decided to go for the try, the first attempt failed, but they were awarded another penalty, step forward Lennon Day, a pocket battleship of a player, he hit the try line low and hard and it was a seven pointer, and a nine-point lead at 16 – 25. That high-risk decision from skipper Herbie Finn proved to be a match winner, as Reeds indiscipline from the restart saw Gravesend get into the Reeds 22 and eventually dart over for a converted try from short range on a running oblique line. Reeds were just two points in front at 23 – 25, and a Gravesend penalty would give them the game but last play was called so Reeds knew that they had to make their tackles count. The Gravesend support was deafening, but in those last frenetic seconds, possession was lost and Reeds clocked up a narrow win.
Man of the Match; Peter Cole
Skipper Herbie Finn commented afterwards that he was ‘proud of the commitment the team had shown against a dominant forward pack, however, on-field discipline was poor with too many yellow cards and ground conceded.’
Team: Lennon Day / Rhys Day / Jacob Howe / Herbie Finn (Captain) / Michael Wasko / Chuggs Wallis / Joe Wastie / Alex Corner / Ollie Palmer / Ben Sherry / Nick Browne / Josh Clark (VC) / Marcus Clark / Aaron Endersley / Pete Cole. Bench: George Corner / Robbie Adams / Ollie Maitland
Reeds Weybridge 2nd XV 53 Old Tiffinians 2nd XV 23
Next week Reeds are at home to Old Colfeians; Kick off at 3:00pm