Reeds Secure the Spoils Despite Sidcup Come Back
REGIONAL 2 SOUTH EAST
REEDS WEYBRIDGE 34 SIDCUP 22
Sidcup were founded in 1882 but this is the first time they have played against Reeds, they came to Whiteley Village with an impressive record having scored the most points in the league and remarkably, had also conceded the least number of points, clearly a side to be reckoned with. The Presidents lunch at the club that saw three long standing members – Jes Isaacs, George Spinks, and John Rogers honoured with lifetime awards for their tireless contribution to the Club – together with the visiting Sidcup supporters, ensured that there was a huge crowd to witness this top of the table clash. They were splendidly entertained by a feast of running rugby, from both sides, that had the result in doubt until the final moments. It was the visitors, down the hill in the first half, who had the best of the action, ferocious exchanges in the loose saw the visitors retain possession and set up camp in Reeds territory. It was the Sidcup skipper and winger, Louis Keeley who seized on a misdirected kick that finally gave some space out wide and he touched down for a five pointer by the flag. Effective defence in your own 22 can so often result in the players straying over the offside line, and that cost Reeds a couple of penalties, and six points leaving Sidcup eleven points in front without reply. But this is a Reeds side that has some serious pace and flair as well, none better than young Marcus Clark the winger who has such dazzling feet and the acceleration of a top-class winger that asks so many questions. It was Clark with a mazy run that took him up-field, he was checked but Alex Corner the No 8 powered his way over the line with young Peter Cole, the full back, collecting the extras and Reeds at the change round were just four points adrift at 7 – 11 with the hill to come and their back division looking dangerous.
The lineouts, were a source of quality possession, and that enabled scrum half Ollie Palmer and fly half Jack Jesty to unleash the back division, Josh Clark the centre was firing out some long-distance passes to Matt Stevenson who beat the cover to touch down for a seven pointer. There wasn’t too much to choose between the two sides in the tight scrum battles and in open play Reeds have an impressive defensive record. Joe Wastie, the utility forward, is such a dominant force in that department, he shut down some promising Sidcup attacks with his thunderous tackling. Following pressure from Reeds, Peter Cole stretched the lead further with a penalty in front of the sticks. Reeds were now keen to attack from the most unpromising situations and with the slope in their favour they were able to launch an attack from anywhere, none better at that Marcus Clark, he set off on a mazy run from within his own half and touched down for a seven pointer. Reeds then banged over a long-distance penalty before Sidcup began a serious fight back with a couple of penalties and an unconverted try that brought them within six points of Reeds. However, a second try from outside centre Matt Stevenson finished that revival. The two Clark brothers were the instigators of much of Reeds success in the back division and they were joint holders of the Men of the Match Award.
Men of the Match Josh and Marcus Clark
Team: Lennon Day / Rhys Day / Leon Champion / Herbie Finn (Captain) / Robbie Adams / Chuggs Wallis / Joe Wastie / Alex Corner / Ollie Palmer / Jack Jesty / Marcus Clark / Josh Clark / Matt Stevenson / Aaron Endersley / Peter Cole. Bench: George Corner / Michael Wasko / Olly Tyndale
Reeds 2nd XV 24 Esher XV 12
Next week Reeds travel away to Medway for their next league fixture.