Reigate rugby U14's returned to winning ways this weekend with a hard fought victory away at Old Emanuels.

The Lions kicked off and Reigate caught and ran immediately deep into their half although lost the ball forward giving the scrum to Lions in their own 22. Reigate scrum looked up for it today and their shove turned the ball back to Reigate with Jack Love picking up the loose ball and driving over for the first try. Evan Grimwood added the two points.

Reigate piled the pressure on from the restart returning the kick with great chasing by the backs resulting in a scrum to Reigate in the Lions 22. The solid platform provided by the forwards was well used by Reigate to pass away from the base and send full back Harry Colbourne over for the try. This time Owen Sheasby provided the conversion.

The Lions kick off was well chased and they regained possession and started to work through the middle with their forwards making ground and testing out the Reigate defence. A knock on by Reigate gave the lions a scrum 5 metres from their line and some good passing get them over for their first try of the game.

The game started to even out and some great runs and solid tackling showed both teams were determined to make a good game of it. A loose ball near the halfway line provided the opening Reigate were looking for and Sam Dolan took full advantage to show his pace down the wing and score under the posts. Grimwood again provided the extra points for Reigate.

The Lions responded to the try by looking to work the ball through the forwards. This began to pay off with two tries and a conversion before the break through hard work and tough rucking and mauling. A half time score of 17-21 showed how even things were.

Lions restarted the game kicking straight to Love in his own 22. He preceded to run the length of the field through a number of challenges and score his second try under the posts to give Reigate the perfect start to the second half. Sheasby duly converted to open a gap in the scores.

The game started to become a little stop/start with penalties from both sides and some robust contests in the middle of the park. Reigate's scrum started to dominate and disrupt the Lions ball although both sides were a little loose in the open. After 15 minutes of tough rugby, Ryan Johnson picked up the ball in his own 22 and went on a barnstorming run through the centre of the Lions team and, showing some outstanding pace, ran around the wing and full back to score for Reigate in the corner.

Two minutes later Love decided to copy his teammate and drive through the centre of a tiring Lions side from halfway, to score his third of the game.

Reigate decided to control the game to the whistle with some good phase play and solid ball carrying frustrating the Lions and seeing out the victory.

This was a good response to the Cranleigh game the previous week and Reigate also managed to work full games on debut for Harry Weaver and Fraser Robertson. Hooker Finley Dixon was deservedly awarded Man of the Match for pack leading performance.

Next fixture is at home to Reeds Weybridge on 10/11/2019.