Reeds Secure Tough Win at Old T’s
REGIONAL 2 SOUTH EAST
OLD TIFFINIANS 34 REEDS WEYBRIDGE 41
Reeds have been playing Tiffinians for a generation, and a packed touchline of spectators on a bright sunny day, witnessed a thrilling spectacle of open, expansive, rugby, with the result ín doubt until the last few minutes. Reeds looked much the sharper in the backs especially in the midfield with the distribution skills of Josh Clark and the blistering pace of Matt Stevenson causing all sorts of problems for the Tiffs defence. It was their quick hands that gave Reeds front row man, Rhys Day, just enough space to batter his way over by the flag for a five pointer. Tiffs, with their big men, were having the best of the battle up front with skipper Ross Hobbs shunting Reeds backwards in the tight and rampaging around the park in the loose, needing two or three defenders to bring him down. Reeds were conceding too many penalties in defence, that gave Tiffs territory and it was that forward power that set up a rumble from ten metres out and Harry Jowett the winger touched down for a seven pointer. If you initiate an attacking move from your own 5 metre line, rather than opt for the safe kick to touch, you can come unstuck. However, when you have the bewildering guile and speed, and the confidence of young Marcus Clark, you have a good chance of success. He set off up-field, Pete Cole the full back was up in support, a quick interchange between them to ward off covering defenders and Marcus Clark touched down under the sticks, it was a classic length of the field try. Reeds however were having problems containing that big Tiffinian pack, and maybe that caused them to concede a series of penalties, it certainly cost them ground and just before the break, a five metre lineout gave good possession to Tiffs, a rumble and Noah Noeh the No 5, touched down for a seven pointer, half time, and Reeds were two points adrift at 14 – 12. Just after the restart, Will Sharp, Tiffs kicking specialist, banged over a long-range penalty to lengthen Tiffs lead, but not for long. An inch perfect pass from Josh Clark opened up the midfield for Matt Stevenson, he came through the gap at serious pace to touch down under the sticks without a hand being laid on him and put Reeds into a five-point lead at 14 – 19. Not for long, Will Sharp collected another penalty, it was only a two-point lead but time was running out for Reeds to respond, it was Chuggs Wallis who had been on the bench during the first half who came off the back of a rolling maul to touch down and put Reeds right back in the box seat into a 17 – 24 lead which was subsequently reduced to 20 -24 following another penalty. In that last quarter, the tension got to both sides and there was a flurry of yellow cards and the result could have gone either way. Young Matt Stevenson, the Reeds centre, on another incisive run, chipped ahead just inside the 22, he chased the bobbling ball, the referee decided he was impeded and awarded a penalty try and Reeds with ten minutes on the clock. But this is a battle-hardened Tiffs side that hasn’t lost at home for a couple of years and Ross Hobbs their powerful prop forward and skipper dragged this right back into the game as he bashed his way over to reduce Reeds to a narrow lead. Less than five minutes on the clock and Pete Cole banged over a crucial penalty and Reeds had a seven-point advantage at 27 – 34. During those last frenetic minutes, two converted tries shared between Tiffs and Reeds didn’t alter the result and Reeds collected a bonus point win against one of the top league sides.
Man of the Match award went to Lennan Day the front row forward, for an inspirational performance in the tight, and another huge contribution in the loose against a seasoned pack of aggressive forwards.
Man of the Match – Lennan Day
Team: Lennan Day / Rhys Day / Leon Champion / Herbie Finn (Capt) / Michael Wasko / Ben Ewington / Will Relfe / Joe Wastie / Ollie Palmer / Jack Jesty / Nick Brown / Josh Clark / Matt Stevenson / Marcus Clark / Pete Cole / Harry Ring / Chuggs Wallis /Aaron Endeley
Next week Reeds are at home to Old Dartfordians who clocked up a win against Thurrock this weekend. KO 3:00pm
George Spinks – Your man on the touchline 07860 394687