Reeds Suffer Bad Day at the Office

REGIONAL 2 SOUTH EAST

OLD COLFEIANS 41   REEDS WEYBRIDGE 27

Reeds suffered their worst defeat of the season at Horn Park yet it had all started so well for them. In the opening moments, Aaron Endeley the quick winger snapped up a wayward clearance and set off from well within his own half, he chipped the ball over the defensive cover, collected the possession and was in under the sticks for a classic seven pointer. Colfes then made a mess of the restart and that allowed Reeds forwards to set up a series of drives within the 22, Colfes strayed offside and Pete Cole stepped up to collect a straightforward three points to make it 0 – 10. It was a short-lived lead however as those big Colfes forwards were providing quality possession from the loose rucks and mauls and were rock steady in the tight as well. That had Reeds battling to keep their line secure. Some smart handling stretched the Reeds defence across the park, gaps appeared and Colfes had two converted tries on the board and a four-point lead at 14 – 10 one of which was from a loverly jinking run from inside centre Griffiths. No doubt about the try of the day, it was initiated by Reeds full back Peter Cole who fielded a long clearing kick to pass to full back and Reeds Man of the Match, Matt Stevenson, who from deep in his own half set off on a curving run that split the cover, the ball was passed to winger Endeley who off-loaded on the inside to Ollie Tyndale the young No 9 to take the scoring pass. Peter Cole slotted the tricky conversion and Reeds were back in front at 14 – 17. No question, Reeds had the playmakers out wide who could find holes in the Colfes defence, but Reeds seemed intent on taking on Colfes through their big pack rather than play at tempo and seek the wide spaces. It was a mistake as they were up against a powerful set of forwards who were able to deny them possession going forward, secure turnovers, and at the same time force Reeds to step over the defensive line.  It cost them a yellow card and Jed Wylie the Colfes scrum half darted over for a converted try after a series of close quarter drives and they were back in the lead at 21 – 17. Just on half time, Pete Cole collected another difficult penalty and Reeds were just one point adrift at the change round at 21 – 20.

Reeds had the benefit of a slight slope in that second half and there was a suspicion that the bigger and heavier Colfes pack would run out of steam, but it did not work out like that. Shortly after the restart Colfes drove play into the red zone, retained possession and rumbled over the line for a converted try and they were back in front with an eight-point lead at 28 – 20. Although Reeds were having problems against the Colfes pack, out wide they looked so dangerous, a well-judged cross-field kick form Pete Cole the fly half bounced wickedly for the Colfes defence and young Aaron Endeley collected his second try of the day when he touched down for Pete Cole to once collect the extras from out wide and Reeds were just one point adrift at 28 – 21. That was as good as it got for Reeds however – the last quarter is the time when many games of rugby are decided and that is what happened in South London last Saturday. Colfes, encouraged by a vocal crowd of partisan supporters drove play into Reeds 22 and as great offload to Edwin the outside centre saw him stroll over the line untouched to once again take the game away from Reeds. Reeds were now playing catch up rugby, always a risky prospect, a late penalty, and a try in the last moments for Colfes, denied Reeds even a losing bonus point. In Truth Reeds were up against a team who had the bit in their teeth and who’s defence on the day was better than the visitors. As discussed in the post-game huddle, one thing that simply must improve going forwards is red zone efficiency as Reeds had their chances bit just simply could not take them. A work on for mid-week training perhaps…….

Man of the Match: Matt Stevenson

Match Day Squad: Lennan Day / Rhys Day / Baff Aggapong-Ntra / Lewis Jones / Herbie Finn (C) Joe Wastie / George Corner / Alex Corner / Ollie Tyndale / Peter Cole / Aaron Endeley / Josh Clark / Ollie Maitland / Jack Bennett / Matt Stevenson / Kerran Beavis / Ben Ewington / Max Penfold.

Next week: Reeds are at home for their postponed game against Gravesend – KO 14:00