Chobham 20 – 39 Reeds Weybridge
Chobham gave the visitors a run for their money and the score made it look a far easier result for Reeds. The game was definitely split in to four sections of dominance that was to and fro between the two teams. Two decisive yellow cards for denying the hosts a score could easily have been penalty tries at decisive points in the game.
Reeds Weybridge, a team Chobham hadn’t played for years, visited Fowlers Wells for a huge derby. Third placed Reeds were in buoyant mood having last week beaten top of the table Chiswick, Chob knew they had a tough afternoon ahead and were more than aware of Josh Clarke’s accuracy with the boot from his time at Chobham.
Saturday saw prop Dave Evans 50th 1st XV Cap for Chobham, his first game was back on the 11th March 2017, also the return into the squad 1st XV captain Phil Williams at centre, hooker Sean Bellion, flanker Ben Puttock, wing Samuel Davies and Leon Nell on the bench. From the kick off the hosts slowly started to build momentum and from a penalty took the lead through full back Davies. Reeds then woke up and then strong running backs contributed to four tries before the break, a very confident Reeds led 26-3 at half time.
The second half saw the Scarlett & Golds come out at a higher level, they had the control of the game and attacked the Reeds line – the visitors diligent defence held the hosts out until Reeds Billy Maddock prevented a try and was sent to the sin bin. A few minutes later sniping scrum half Kennard pick from the back of a ruck 15 m out to score a try to the right of the posts. From a Reeds 5m defensive lineout Thirlwell stripped the visitors of the ball, following some attacking runs from Nell and Bellion, Kennard released Bainbridge to score a converted try.
The visitors now seemed to be at a loss as to how to get a grip of the game. With Reeds then back up to a full complement they then saw replacement Styger go to the bin for preventing another try, this was the third time the visitors had got away with preventing a scoring opportunity and still no Penalty Try – Chobham had to hold their emotions. The visitors ran the ball and following a brace of rucks a great miss pass from Mawhood to Rumsey saw the winger score in the right-hand corner. At 20-26 Chob were now within a score and their confidence was flowing.
Unfortunately, the last 10 minutes saw Reeds regain their confidence and show the class they are to put the game to bed with three unanswered tries. The Man of the Match performance for Goddard at 8 for the first time kept Chobham in the game and the return of the Scarlett & Golds talisman Williams were huge factors in the game.
Harry Norman-Walker, Chobham Director of Rugby, said “that was a frustrating game and we proved we have the ability to beat the top of the table teams, Reeds looked rattled and they can only be relieved to close it off in the last 10 minutes.
If we can put an 80-minute performance together like the first 25 minutes of the second half I feel comfortable we can have a great second half of the season.”
Jacob Bainbridge; Sean Bellion David Evans; Dan Benton; Sam Thirlwell; Ben Puttock; Alex Gibson; Sam Goddard; Robbie Kennard; Guy Mawhood; Josh Sheppard; Tommy Reed; Phil Williams (Capt.); John Rumsey; Samuel Davies.Leon Nell; Oli Guy; Alex Julian.