Reigate U15’s vs Cranleigh U15’s – Surrey Cup Rd 5

It was just above freezing when we arrived at Reigate. Parents bravely rushed from their heated SUV seats to the warm bar whilst the lads ran out in shirts. Back in the bar it was decided that 10.54 was a little too early for alcohol but Josie kept everyone amused by her Guinness outfit. The other chat was the hangover by Frenchman Nord who was taking down the coffee machine that was refusing to serve him (reminded me of being back in Paris).

Today’s opposition Reigate were top of the league and looking confident and well drilled. They also had a big squad, full coaching team and new faces with rumours that they had recruited well in the off-season. They even had a good parental support group that looked up for our vocal challenge. On our side we were a bit light with Lokan and Will still injured, Burt and Dom resting with back to back games and Jack and Fin out so our numbers were looking short. This could be tough (maybe that shout for a Bloody Mary wasn’t crazy?). 

Straight from the kick off the opposition ran good straight lines with their large forwards and their backs were slick, running both around us and going straight when needed. Their scrum was also dominant and after sustained pressure, they sucked in too many Crane’s, then their backs went wide and the full back scored under the post. Easy conversion. 7-0. Gulp (maybe a small brandy?!).

Straight after the kick-off, we were back under the cosh and with some slick moves and strong running by their forwards and backs. There were notable defensive efforts our end with strong tackles by Dante, Hugo, Henry and others but despite this, Reigate scored again in the corner with their fast winger. Tricky kick missed 12–0. Some of the Crane’s fans were twitching and looking over their shoulders at the still warm SUV seats.

The end of the second half saw a better period from us with little Syd back in the team who was showing all his judo skills at rucks and tackling people twice his size. Strong tackles by Oscar D and Zac and some nice running by Oscar H and Luke got us in the right part of the field. Dante was on fire with runs and tackling (shout out to Dad, Douggie getting back from his ankle surgery). The scrum had also tightened up after early pressure with Joseph and Carlo standing firm and starting to win some decent ball. Rory was doing a nice job at fly half using a combination of kicking and passing in the face of strong defence.

We got all the way down to the try line with strong runs from Carlo and a good kick to touch by Rory. From a subsequent penalty Joseph almost went over, but credit to the opposition they put in a big tackle, stole the ball in the ruck and in a flash and some good drills they were back in our half and turned defence into attack. They won a couple of penalties, one for a big tackle by Matt Mat that looked OK to the our side, spun the ball wide off another penalty whilst we were too central and cored in the corner. Tricky kick missed 17–0. We needed half time (and the bar was definitely open now…)

Despite a good half time chat, the second half started like much of the first with Reigate back into our territory making strong drives and eventually getting over for their fourth try. Conversion missed 22-0.  

Our guy’s didn’t give up though and pushed the visitors back into their own half with some great runs by Luke and Logan but unfortunately we could not make the breakthrough and they kicked clear. Again, the opposition showed some great skills and even their spectators were getting louder – notably a woman with a red gilet who almost tackled the (still) moustached reporter as I was trying to report and yell at the same time. After more sustained pressure, and despite some great tackling and defending yet another try by the opposition as a large number 12 broke through and scored in the corner. Good conversion and game over 29-0. 

Tough loss for our lads but it could have been much worse with some great tackles, strong rucking, turnovers, and adventurous running. Reigate really were too strong today and Russ’s comment of ‘We made them strong by beating them the whole time’ was very apt. We perhaps needed a slightly larger squad despite some good substitutions from Leo and Harley who got a good run. The parents lifted spirits by Nigel noticing that Tarek was shorter than most of our team and M-Dogg’s mum commenting on my excessively loud cheering that she could hear from the other side of the car park. 

Very nice and well organised meal and good speeches from both sides and well-deserved man of the match by Rory. Despite the loss, Reigate is a nice club and good place to come. We will be back and next time the SUV seats will be on full heat