Last minute win for gutsy U16's

Following the 1st XV game on Saturday, Reigate U16s entered the now even muddier pitch to take on Uckfield RFC for the first league match of the season. From word go, it was obvious that both sides were evenly matched with a lot of back and forth rugby, played mostly amongst the forwards. The deadlock was broken after 12 minutes with Uckfield touching down in the corner for their first try, which was unconverted. Reigate’s heads did not go down and they kept grinding away utilising their forwards to make ground through the Uckfield defence.

Reigate’s hard work was rewarded after 24 minutes when James Woods took advantage of loose ball and dotted down; this was converted by Jamie Creed. The score remained the same until 1 minute before half time when Uckfield scored their second try, this time the conversion was successful.

The message at half time to Reigate was more of the same, keep the ball and make the hard yards so that the back line can exploit any holes in the defence. Unfortunately 16 minutes into the second half Uckfield scored their third and final try, without conversion.

It was at this moment that Reigate had a choice, they could either let their heads drop, or trust in their game plan and keep going. It was the latter that came to the fore, with Tobi Clark using his strength to make significant grounds into the Uckfield half, along with the rest of the forwards who all played magnificently. The Backs did their job too with great defensive efforts, often stopping Uckfield’s big runners from making any ground. Their hard work was rewarded with 10 minutes to go when the forwards trundled the ball to the Uckfield goal line with pick and go after pick and go, finally getting the space for Ollie Charman to dot down. Creed once again converted.

After that it was all Reigate, who could now sense an upset against a team that had consistently beaten them over their last two outings. With 10 seconds to go the forwards had sucked in the Uckfield defence, which left an overlap for the backs who moved the ball down the line. Creed darted forward, found a gap and dotted down. He then converted to make the final score Reigate RFC 21- Uckfield RFC 17.

It was thrilling end to a great match played in Great Spirit. Tobi Clark was awarded man of the match for his excellent attacking display.