Reigate 2nd XV
Matches
Sat 26 Sep 2015  ·  Foundation
Reigate RFC
Reigate 2nd XV
61
7
Horley 2XV
Sun shines on Reigate

Sun shines on Reigate

Dan Harris27 Sep 2015 - 09:24
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"Make hay while the sun shines"

After a disappointing week for the league last week where only 1 game was played, it was a relief that both Horley and Reigate 2nd XV's were able to get a team out for this local derby fixture.

On a perfect day for rugby, with the sun shinning overhead, Reigate were fortunate enough to have a squad of 19 to choose from - with several players returning to the game after breaks of 6, 15 and 20 years, and one or two returning from injuries as well, there was a slight degree of rustiness expected.

In an emphatic first half Reigate were able to use the sun to great success, kicking where possible and putting the Horley back line under some pressure under the high ball. With ball in hand Reigate looked threatening and it was not long before the gain line was broken the first of 6 first half tries were scored.

The first half was filled with quick backs play, with solid sets of hands getting the ball wide and support runners being in place ready to take an offload and cross the line for more points, as was the case when James Alexander crossed towards the end of the half. More attack minded-play from Reigate saw the ball reach Doug Harper on the wing, making his return after a year-long injury, who ran over one defender (true story!) and managed to get the offload to scrum half Danny Windle, making his 2XV debut, who was unfortunately bundled into touch.

In an outstanding first half display from James A, there was another line break from him, only to have the ball somehow fall out of his hands over the line. However with the pack dominating the scrum and the back line keeping things sharp, tries were coming for Reigate, with Horley seeing very little of the ball.

In the closing minutes of the first 40 Reigate were camped out on the Horley tryline, with the ball held up over the line a series of scrums ensued where the defence held fast, and the ball was further held up twice over the line before more defensive effort saw Reigate falling short of the posts and Horley's lines were soon cleared from the resulting scrum.

Half-time saw two try scorers having to leave early, Adam Sherry and James who both had looked dangerous had made good on their promise of a half to great success. Fly-Half Josh also came off after an outstanding first half, setting up a couple of the tries and scoring 2 for himself. This allowed Dave Manning and new recruits Stephen and Graham to come on in the second half where game control would be crucial.

The second half started much slower than the first, with excitement getting the better of Reigate and not being able to start the half where we had left off in the first. Horley were able to hit back with a converted try, but Reigate were soon able to focus and build more phases in play, controlling the ball more efficiently at the breakdown and using the full width of pitch led to a further 5 tries being scored.

A man of the match performance from Tim Davison saw the Prop carry the ball in his usual hard manner over the gainline, working hard in the rucks to secure possession and being a rock in the scrum. The award could have gone to any one of the players on the pitch, with every player putting his body into the contact and offering superb support play. A notable performance also from flanker Aidan Matthews on his playing return after 6 years, capped off with 2 tries, saw him also in line for a pint of Guinness, however he managed to sneak away before it could be delivered - so it'll go down as a IOU.

Making a club debut was Prop Neil Blythe, returning to the pitch after 15 years, he showed no signs of having been away from the game, hitting rucks hard and scrummaging to great effect.

An outstanding performance by Reigate that will hopefully be a sign of things to come this season, this team shows the strength in depth that the club has developed, with several regular faces absent, and the benefits of training as a team. Reigate enjoyed their day in the sun and a showed a willingness to play attacking rugby with solid game management.

Try Scorers:

Adam - 1
Aiden - 2
James - 1
Josh - 2
Lyndon - 1
Matt - 2
Perry - 2 (3 Cons)

Match details

Match date

Sat 26 Sep 2015

Kickoff

14:00

Competition

Foundation
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Club - Bodies in Design
Club Sponsor - PJS Partnership Ltd
Club Sponsor - FXD Capital
Club Sponsor - The Surrey Circle
Club Sponsor - Summer Day Media