Feb 8

Written by: Stuart Stodart
08/02/2012 13:02

Vandals 3rd XV 38 v 30 Reigate 2nd XV

After the cold weather during the week and a frozen pitch at Colley Lane, conditions Thames side were surprisingly good: hard but taking the stud. With 1st XV players available as their match was off because of the ground conditions, we welcomed Nick and Stu Adams, Bonny was on the bench, Lyndon, Lauren and Turner in the fan base, Ash was on for his first match in ages and the Il Generale was on for his first game for the two’s after injury, having had a sighter against Dorking Vets on 21/01/12.
Weybridge were short of players after early injuries, they were also short of a match ball, a kicking tee and it appeared an ability to play meaningful Rugby if the first half was anything to go by.
Reigate were able to break the Weybridge line again and again, the support running was much improved, presentation at the ruck seemed to be better after the training drills, our props revelled in the contact and the chance to carry it to the oppo and there were elementary if incomplete pods to set up the recycle. It all worked so well that when Tom Piercey was presented with an undefended tryline, he tossed and turned as if in a nightmare. Could this be real? Where was the hand of fate that was about to strike him down? Megatron was seen on the charge, Josh sniped effectively around the scrum against bigger opposition, Stoddard enjoyed himself and it was a big group hug at half time.
Th captain’s quandary. In the spirit of the game and having provided the kit it seemed the right thing to do to offer Weybridge a player to make up their depleted numbers. Who to choose. Bonny had to come on somewhere but it could not be right to split the team that had done wonders in the 1st half. Where was Tiny when he was needed? So that was it. We got Bonnied, though in fairness to Weybridge, it was certainly a more workmanlike side in the second period with the ball going to their big centre and our tackles not going in low enough to take them out.
Homework:
Press up on the opposition so they can’t get speed up. You also have to do all the other stuff
Tackle low - step over and hold on
Don’t get complacent - four man pods
Practice place kicking: 3 strikes and you are out? - communicate and present

A much better performance and a great game to watch for the first half. Well Done, you twos.
1) Ash Azzopardi
2) Stu Stodard
3) Dave O’Leary
4) Iain Roberts (c)
5) Dave “Megatron” Lyus
6) Josh
7) Tom Ford
8) Dave Bird

9) Stu Adams FC/55
10) Paul Wise T/5,T/20

11) Craig Phelan T/15
12) Luis Lazarte
13) Tom Piercy T/10,T/27
14) Nick Glanville
15) Dave Partridge T/55

Opposition scores
T/13,fc/13,T/45,sc/45,T/50,sc/50,T/60,sc/60,T/67,sc/67,T/70,fc/70

HT Score: 5 – 25

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