Reeds Hold Their Heads High in Defeat

REGIONAL 2 SOUTH EAST

BATTERSEA IRONSIDES 24   REEDS WEYBRIDGE 21

A glance at the table shows that the Ironsides have the best defensive record in the league and have only lost one game all season, and that was to Reeds. That record set the scene for a top half of the table clash where the result was in doubt until the final whistle. The Ironsides game is built around their powerful set of forwards that can produce plenty of quality possession, that in turn, demanded a huge defensive effort from Reeds forwards. None better at that than their skipper Herbie Finn, it was his brave work, alongside Cameron Goodwin his second-row partner, that blunted much of the Ironsides momentum with Joe Wastie adding to that with his probing all court play. Although it was the Ironsides who had the best of the territory, it was Reeds who went into an early lead, Pete Cole the full back, who has that ability to read the game so well, snapped up a loose Ironside pass just inside the twenty-two, he found winger Jack Bennett outside him with a one handed off-load and Reeds collected a seven pointer from 60 meters out after having defended for a large part of the first quarter. It was a short-lived lead however, those big Ironside forwards have got the forward rumble down to a fine art, in the space of five minutes, they set up a camp in Reeds twenty-two and a failure to number off either side of the ruck saw Reeds run out of numbers on the open side and Battersea score to make it 7 – 7 via their centre Huw Roberts.  Ten minutes before half time, Reeds hit back, Robbie Adams the flanker stole away from first phase possession with an intelligent oblique run off a Jack Jesty pass that beat the covering defender, Ollie Tyndale took the pass and patient recycling from 5 meters out saw Cameron Godwin the big lock forward dot down under the sticks from 2 meters out for a seven-pointer – 7 – 14 Reeds. Back came Battersea and just before half time they again exploited Reeds inability to number off this time on a short line off a scrum to score another converted try to make it 14 – 14 at the change around.

There are some games that remain in the memory for moments of attacking brilliance, but on this occasion, it was Reeds defence, with Joe Wastie the flanker delivering another, all action performance from the back row, before he succumbed to injury, that was so impressive, and Cam Goodwin, so dominant, in the close quarter exchanges up front whilst also stealing two clean line out balls at key phases of the match. Despite all that, Ironsides went into a five-point lead at 19 -14 after they rumbled over from another five-metre lineout following their strip of Reeds possession at the kick off that then gave them a penalty kick to touch near the Reeds line. Minutes later  – with Reeds losing both Marcus Clark and Pete Cole to injury – the latter following a stonewall penalty for taking the player in the air that was not given – it was young Rhys Day who is such a threat who put Reeds in front, he seized on a loose lineout move, intercepting the scrum half’s pass, to run in a great score from 50 meters out  and touched down for a converted try and Reeds were in the lead at 19 – 21. In that last quarter, those big Ironside forwards went back into the lead with another unconverted try after a ten-metre drive with their seven Chabal scoring out wide. Reeds had looked so dangerous in the midfield exchanges, but having lost Pete Cole, Jack Jesty, Marcus Clark, and Joe Wastie to injury they again finished the game with 14 players due to injuries for the second week running. With time running out Reeds were camped on the Battersea twenty-two making slow but steady ground through the forwards when Reeds tried an expansive play only for the ball to be kicked out of play and the referee to blow for the final whistle. In the end Reeds had to be satisfied with a losing bonus point.

Man of the Match – the entire team after a dogged performance away from Home that saw everyone empty the tank in pursuit of a win.

Match Day squad: Lennan Day / Rhys Day / Jacob Howe / Cameron Goodwin / Herbie Finn (Capt) / Ben Ewington / Robbie Adams / Joe Wastie / Ollie Tyndale / Jack Jesty / Marcus Clark / Ollie Maitland / Matt Stevenson / Jack Bennett / Pete Cole / George Corner / Zac Smith / Buffy Brickhill

Next week Reeds are at home to local rivals, Old Tiffinians, Kick off 2:00pm