Reeds Indiscipline Hands Match to Sutton
REGIONAL 2 SOUTH EAST
REEDS WEYBRIDGE 28 SUTTON & EPSOM 33
Sutton & Epsom have had a successful season, losing just six games and clocking up over six hundred points but Reeds came so close to upsetting the form book with a spirited display, that had the result in doubt until the final whistle. Reeds defended the slope in the first half, and it was the visitors who had the best of the territory early on courtesy of two penalties from two high tackles by the home side. Moments later a series of forward rumbles had Reeds in trouble and Callum Gibson the big forward collected the first try of the day. It was a short-lived lead, Tudor Forbes Reeds strong running centre broke through the initial defensive line, and fed Matt Stevenson who sidestepped through the cover for a seven pointer. But it was the visitors who soon responded, driving play into the red zone once again from a Reeds infringement which saw them collect a yellow card. Sutton and Epsom duly battered their way over the line via a catch and drive and Freddy Bunting slotted the tricky conversion. Most of the action was in Reeds half, however, just before the break Reeds drove play up field and forced a five-metre lineout, Kerran Beavis, Reeds powerful front row forward ripped the ball away from the maul and crashed over the line. The conversion drifted wide, but just before the change round Josh Clark, Reeds No 10 banged over a penalty and Reeds had a one-point advantage at 15 – 14 with the slope to come in their favour. Reeds extended their lead when Cameron Goodwin their second row forward crashed over from short distance to make it 20 -14, but the penalty count was costing Reeds possession and field position. Yet another forward rumble from five metres out, given because of blocking, gave the visitors their third try of the day and a one-point lead at 20 – 21. The best try of the day then followed by the home side – it was initiated in the midfield from Reeds scrum half Ollie Palmer, his distribution is swift and accurate with as good an eye for a gap as anyone, quick hands and a miss pass by Tudor Forbes gave winger Nick Brown just a metre of space to dive into the corner by the flag and clock up a four point lead at 25 – 24. It certainly was not decisive; Reeds certainly were on the wrong end of the penalty count which cost them territory and yellow cards. In those last frantic minutes, Sutton rumbled over for another unconverted try to put them one point in front at 25 -26. Josh Clark then hoisted over a pressurised long-distance penalty to regain the lead at 28 – 26 but another rumble over the line from Sutton and Epsom proved to be decisive. Reeds collected a point for their four try total and a losing bonus point as well. Matt Stevenson was awarded Man of the Match, for another outstanding performance, he is rock solid in defence and a meticulous play maker with mesmerising footwork that can unlock the best defences.
Man of the Match – Matt Stevenson
Reeds Weybridge last game of the season is home at Whiteley Village against Beckenham on April 5th. Beckenham need to win, and Medway (at home to Tiffinians) to lose, to give them a chance of promotion, the smart money must be on Medway gaining promotion.
Match Day squad: Kerran Beavis / Rhys Day / Baff Aggapong-Ntrah / Cam Goodwin / Herbie Finn(C) Ben Ewington / Joe Wastie / Alex Corner / Olli Palmer / Josh Clark (VC) / Jack Bennett / Tudor Forbes / Matt Stevenson / Ollie Maitland / Will Jones / Jakob Howe / Tom McKinlay / Nick Brown.
GS 07860 394687
March 22 2025