The Come Back Kings Would Have Made JT Proud
REGIONAL 2 SOUTH EAST
REEDS WEYBRIDGE 31 OLD REIGATIANS 22
A huge crowd at Whiteley Village last Saturday, replete from a lunch celebrating the life of Club stalwart John Tyndale, witnessed a remarkable comeback from Reeds Weybridge who overturned Reigatians twenty-two-point lead to win the game in the last ten minutes. It had all started so well for the visitors, Reeds were defending the slope in the first half and having problems containing the Reigatian pack who were winning quality possession from all phases enabling them to set up camp in Reeds red zone. A forward rumble took the big Reigatian pack over the line for a seven pointer, quickly followed by a penalty in front of the sticks as Reeds strayed offside in defence and lost a man to the bin as well. Reeds just could not get their hands on the ball to mount any meaningful attacks, they were locked into defensive mode for long periods and those Reigatian forward drives from short distance were so effective and that provided two more converted tries and a twenty-two-point lead for the visitors before Reeds finally responded. Herbie Finn, Reeds skipper led the fight back with some quality possession going forward, Reeds first two tries owed everything to a series of forward based pick and goes that Reigatian could not contain. Firstly, a series of drives brought them within five metres and front row forward Rhys Day, deadly from short distance, drove over the line for Pete Cole to slot a long-distance conversion, Reeds were back ín the game at 7 – 22. Just before the break, Reigatians lost a forward to the bin, in a finely balanced forward battle it gave Reeds the advantage, their front row of the Day brothers and Baff Aggapong-Ntrah were causing some real problems for the Reigatian defence and it was Lennan Day who finally bashed his way over from a tap and go 5-meter penalty. Pete Cole slotted another long-distance conversion and Reeds changed round eight points adrift at 14 – 22, with the slope in their favour and their backs looking dangerous. The third quarter was a cagey affair with both sides knowing that the next score would have a pivotal impact on the outcome of the game, finally a few minutes into the fourth quarter Pete Cole broke through the Reigatian cover, and Josh Clark the centre was up in support for a seven pointer and Reeds were within a point of the visitors at 21 – 22. Reeds were running from all parts of the park and it was Reigatians who were struggling to keep their line secure, inevitably the defence were up too quickly and Pete Cole slotted a penalty putting Reeds two points in front and looking for more at 24 – 22. Reigatians knew that a penalty could still give them the game and they mounted series of attacks that took them to the Reeds twenty-two before they lost the ball in contact. Reeds laid down a strong scrum and Pete Cole shaped to kick long only to dink chip over the advancing defence, re-gather the ball, and offload to electric quick winger Will Jones who was up in support to run in a long-range score that secured the win together with a four try bonus point win. A sickening blow for Reigatians who left Whitely Village without even the consolation of a losing bonus point. Pete Cole, Reeds fly half, was awarded the Man of the Match award for his shrewd control of the game and successful place kicking.
Man of the Match, Peter Cole
Pedro Diogo was the referee in charge, decisive and consistent, he ensured that players and spectators had an enjoyable afternoon.
Match Day Squad: Lennan Day (VC) /Rhys Day / Baffour Aggapong-Ntrah / Cam Goodwin / Herbie Finn (Captain) / Lewis Jones / Joe Wastie / Tom McKinlay / Jack Bennett / Pete Cole / Max Penfold / Josh Clark (VC) /Ollie Maitland / Will Jones / Matt Stevenson / Jakob Howe / Ben Ewington / Buffy Brickhill.
Reeds have a one week break from League rugby, their next fixture is against Sidcup, away, on Feb 15th
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