Jan 24

Written by: Richard Drage
24/01/2009 11:45

Given the posponement of 2009's first scheduled league fixture, Reigate's league campaign restarted in 2009 with a home fixture against Old Oundelians. After a weather-dominated fixture at Old Oundelians earlier in the season, the milder conditions prompted hopes of a faster-flowing game, however the heavy pitch did its best to slow matters down.

Starting the game in the new 1st team kit and with the support of those who had earlier attended the Presidents lunch, Reigate weathered some early pressure and, against the run of play, posted the first points with fly-half Fraser MacDonald kicking an early penalty. The remainder of the first half remained a tight affair and the half ended with the sides closely matched at 3-0.

A relatively early penalty saw Old Oundelians draw level before some strong running from the visitor's number 8 and an outstretched arm saw them take a 10-3 lead, despite protests from the webb-lubricated support that the try resulted from a double-movement.

The breakdowns were a messy affair throughout but after both sides had received a number of warnings, Reigate were unfortunate to be the next transgressors and prop, James Blashfield, was sin-binned for killing the ball. Despite the opposition's numerical advantage, the Reigate defence held firm and as the game was entering the last 10 minutes some fast recycling of possession followed by swift handling saw Reigate no.15, Simon King, break clear with only the full-back to beat and with a winger by his side. Despite the 2-on-1 situation and presumably in an attempt to make the conversion a certainty, the fleet-footed full-back tried to dummy the sole defender but opposition full-back read the play and stopped him a yard from the line.

With time pressing and Reigate rueing the golden opportunity that had just slipped by to level the scores, the home side threw caution to the wind and tried to run the ball at every opportunity. With minutes to go the ball was turned over and with the Reigate players spread thinly across the pitch, the Oundelians lock drove forward into the Reigate 22 and managed to offload to his centre who hit the ball from deep. With little cover defense, he scored close enough to the posts to make the conversion a formality, leaving a final score of 3-17 which in truth did not reflect how close the game had been.

On reflection, there were numerous positives Reigate could take from the game, not least the debut of two new arrivals, Will & Fred. We can only hope that Fred's Guinness-downing skills improve to match his work-rate in the loose before the season ends...

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