Old Reigatians pace a lesson for Farnham

By Geoff Bond, President.
Hopefully lessons learned as Farnham were eased aside by a, sometimes rampant, Old Reigatians XV 43-19.
This slick Reigate squad are not top of the league without merit. A workmanlike pack with structure providing quick ball for a talented set of backs.
The pace was at times just too much for newly promoted Farnham.
Reigatians are a superbly run club matching Farnham in respect to their Clubhouse and pitch facilities. Well done to this well respected club for sticking to their guns and completing their tremendous new Facilities.
Perfect rugby conditions for the kick off and early sparring from both sides. Farnham unable to clear their lines stuck in a turgid 22-halfway mire. As with all games retaining the ball is the essential. One mishandling in the three quarters and the turnover is king.
Reigatians with pace to burn in their back division. Right winger Oli Wall freed up outside the Farnham winger Elliott Rich – 5-0 with a superb conversion from RGS flyhalf Overtoom.
The visitors are not yet at the races, the Reigatians enjoy the percentage of the possession, loading either side of the break down or set piece. From a well worked scrum winger Mitchell over in the corner. Slick hands and the swirling wind too much for Overtoom 12-0.
Farnham yet to visit the Home half breakout and start to put together the phases – patience required (more of that later). Corlett and Weeks through the centre, on to Comley elusive on the break with skipper Naisbitt positioned perfectly to plunder the try. 12-5 with a difficult conversion attempt missed by Ben Jones.
Salmons replace each other this week – Toby out with a broken metacarpal. Elder brother Michael in at flyhalf – creating a meaty, powerful set up in mid-field. Crash ball the answer.
Reigatians similarly structured – reverse passes back into the forwards with Talbot the main crash ball specialist. Multi phase attacks eventually freeing up Martin – the drive for the line held but Talbot over by the post. Overtoom with the extras.
Farnham yet to get to the races.
Daly and Ian Williams scruff of the neck driving, Bond and Frost aggressive on the fringes. Sustained attack by the visitors snuffed out and a multi phase break out sees replacement centre Collister throw an outrageous show and go to release Wall to complete his pair. 24-5.
The Farnham boys respond as the half winds down. Sustained attack, interplay between Daly, Ian and Dan Williams through the middle – penalty and Mike Salmon to the corner. The call to Ben Adams at 4 is secure and a well structured catch and drive sees Daly over for a try – Salmon Snr with the conversion 24-12 with half time approaching.
Punch and counter-punch for the first ten minutes of the second period. Farnham repeatedly smashing back the effervescent Reigatians three quarters. The next score – vital. Farnham enjoying their most dominant period in the match. Phase after phase into the ORs 22. Penalty Farnham to the corner. Catch and drive from Farnham with Buster Bond controlling in the vanguard. Slowly the maul inches forward, Oli Brown jabbering the control. 10-8-6 metres to go.
Ball released and a quick pop pass to winger Elliott Rich – held and the home lines cleared. Frustration mounting for the visitors.
Farnham again on the attack – power through Hooker Jennings and Jordan Frost. Stopped in their tracks by Reigatians man of the match Godwin. No 8 Chesterton breaks out and is tackled by Farnham scrum half, the diminutive Oli Brown (big 8 small 9 – politically correct?). Referee on the spot (sic?) penalty ORs and a yellow card for a tip tackle.
Reshuffle Farnham and the floodgates ajar. ORs first real attack in the second half – Farnham stretched and that man Godwin in for a try – Overtoom conversion and the gap is out to 31-12.
All of the Farnham pressure for scant reward 24-19 would have looked soooo much better!!
The visitors are on the back foot – Reigatians rampant – a poor clearance kick sees ORs on the offensive. Forward pass yes or no but Mitchell electric to score wide out – Overtoom with the pluses 38-12.
Short handed Farnham are on the rack. Another poor clearance gives the league leaders a sniff. No 8 Chesterton freed up to batter over the line. 43-12. No luck for Overtoom.
The Farnham boys respond with 10 minutes of sustained pride. Comley and Corlett combine to put full back Ben Jones over easy for Mike Salmon 43-19. Farnham sense more and drive mauls towards the Reigate posts – simple – if the mall is going forward keep your patience – Farnham in control. White line fever, the glory dash and the chance gone – Learn.
Frustratingly, the last drive of the match sees Ed Weeks in for the bonus point try – referee unsighted – poor decision- scrum Farnham and full time. 43-19 and the bonus point denied. On little margins?
Podium Points:
Toby Comley 3 – played at 7, scrum half and wing – all superbly Oli Brown 2 – better every game Reece Stennet 1 – better than his Dad.