Sep 28

Written by: Richard Drage
28/09/2009 11:21

Under the stewardship of new coach, Chris Venn, Reigate RFC started their Surrey 4 league campaign against visitors, Old Wandsworthians.

Starting the game well, the Reigate pack won more than their fair share of ball in both the tight and the loose, capitalising well on the increased understanding instilled by Venn in the pre-season. Reigate completed well-structured phases of play and always looked dangerous, however the Wandsworthians defence held solid during the opening 15-20 minutes, aided on occasions by Reigate’s failure to give a telling final pass.

Reigate struck first when a high ball put pressure on the opposition back-line. Skipper, James Blashfield, put in a thunderous tackle on the would-be catcher, jarring the ball free. Full-back, Simon King, pounced on the loose ball and kicked through, dribbling the ball to the line with excellent close control despite the pressure from the chasing Wandsworthian winger. Reigate scrum-half, Chris Perry, completed the conversion having warmed up his kicking boots with an unsuccessful (and unconventional) penalty attempt earlier in the game.

As the game progressed the vistors came back into the game and a well worked move following some fast recycling of possession saw them level the game late in the first half allowing the sides to go into half time level at 7-7.

The second half started in a similar vein to the first with Reigate number 8, Mike Jones, setting the tempo with a big tackle straight from the kick-off. Reigate continued to control the game and the pressure soon told when swift hands from the back-line saw inside centre, Aidan Matthews, pick his line well to go under the posts untouched, the score converted by Perry.

With no substitutes left, Wandsworthians lost a player to injury midway through the second half and had to play the remainder of the game with only 14 players. Despite the numerical advantage Reigate were unable to get the ball wide quickly to exploit the extra space. When given a rare opportunity to do so the home side moved the ball wide too carelessly finding only the hands of the Wandsworthian flanker. Prop Manning belied his years in chasing the opposition player down just short of the line but stopped the would-be try-scorer illegally, earning a red card for his efforts and conceding a penalty try.

The visitors looked to be holding on for an unlikely draw but with the clock ticking a poorly aimed kick from the opposition fly-half saw full-back King with time to consider a winning drop-goal. Fortunately he saw sense before attempting a speculative 3-pointer and used his supporting players well. The ball went through the hands of a number of Reigate players before outside-centre, Will Griffiths, crashed across the line. With the 80 minutes up and a kick to touch enough to win the game, King kicked long despite the protestations of his team-mates. Fortunately for King a couple of fortuitous bounces saw the ball land in his arms and he was able to score with the final play of the game, both late tries being converted by Perry.

Reigate will feel that the patterns of play introduced by new coach, Venn, were enough to justify a win but the higher fitness levels of the Wandsworthian team were enough to keep them in contention until the end and will no doubt be something that the home coach looks to improve upon before Reigate’s next league fixture, away vs Pelhamians on 10th October.

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