And so it was to Reigate that Farnham U14 travelled for the opening game of the 2007/08 season in Surrey League Two.  

Farnham U14 had seen major changes to the squad over the summer period.  Eight of the 06/07 season team had moved on to new schools and clubs.  New faces seized the opportunity to make a mark and claim a place in the reformed squad.  

With the team working well and on the back of two victorious pre-league friendlies the team were eager to prove themselves in the league fully aware that Reigatians are an excellent side with top class credentials at this level.  

Playing uphill Farnham kicked off.  Reigate received well and swiftly moved the ball back into Farnham territory.  For the first ten minutes a series of handling errors on both sides saw possession rapidly change as neither team could find advantage over the other.  Reigate eventually gained the advantage with an upfield punt eagerly chased by Reigatians backs forcing Farnham to ground the ball over their own goal line.  Reigate took the scrum, and caught Farnham with an overlap for the first try and conversion - 7 points, 13 minutes into the game.  

Farnham fought back from the restart, forcing Reigate into conceding three penalties in quick succession.  From the third lineout the Farnham pack drove forward in a maul grounding the ball over the try line close to touch.  The ball was judged 'held up' with Farnham given the scrum 5m from the Reigate line.  A well controlled driving scrum resulted in Jamie Frisby go over the Reigatians try line for Farnham’s first try.  Josh Parking converted levelling the scores at 7-7 just on half time.

The second half resumed with both teams very equally matched, each breakdown being strongly contested.  At one point Reigatians broke on the wing and full back Jamie Crawford made a superb try-saving tackle. 

As play restarted from the line out, Reigatians made another break on the opposite wing only to be thwarted by Jamie Frisby.  On the third attack Reigate broke through and bundled the ball over the line for their second try.  It was not converted and with the game was poised at 12-7 Farnham struck back. Josh Parkin picked up on a fumbled ball from Reigate and playing the advantage to full effect crossed the line for Farnham’s second try.  The conversion was missed and with some excellent defending from Farnham including another match saving tackle, from Alex Curry.   The match finished a drawn 12-12. 

Old Reigatians were great hosts and played the game in good spirit, hard but fair.  Our thanks also go to the referee who kept everything and everybody in order!

Jamie Frisby was awarded man of the match.

match reporter - Gary Tomlinson