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Old Reigatian Vs Old Tiffinians Match Report

Home » Old Reigatian Vs Old Tiffinians Match Report Published: 6 December 2021 This Article was Written by: Kate Birinder-Ross

This Saturday Old Reigatian welcomed Old Tiffinians to Park Lane for round 8 of this seasons league campaign. This week had seen the Funeral of Don Jinks ex player and committee man and the tragic passing of Ex 1st XV Captain Richard Woodford.

Richard was taken far too soon and with his son Tom making his 4th 1st XV appearance this season it was always going to be an emotional day with the 1st & 2nd XV wearing one Club Sock and one Orange as this was Richard’s favourite colour and Tom wearing his Dad’s 9 shirt despite playing at Fullback. After a minutes silence the game got underway.

Not the start Reigatian’s were after with Max Coyle picking up worrying injury straight from the kick off. With Max replaced, the emotion of the occasion obviously hadn’t affected the team as they got off to a flying start with Luke Quartermaine appearing off his wing and making a great break to link with Finn Coyle who finished the move off and ORs were under the posts for their first try within the first five minutes. Alex Skinner added the extras 7-0. From the restart Reigatian built the pressure and were camped in the Tiffs 22 after several pick on goes Seb Courtney – Walker managed to drive himself over the try line 12-0 up after 9 minutes. Again ORs were playing their rugby in the opposition 22 as they tried to find a hole in the Tiffs defence. OTs were totally committed in defense but gave away a Penalty, quick thinking Skinner took the penalty and using his pace over ten meters was away and the third try in 13 minutes Skinner added the conversion 19-0.

Tiffs were looking shell shocked at this stage but full credit to them they started to build some useful possession and their strong running 12 broke the defensive line to keep them in the game with a try under the posts extra points added 19-7 after half an hour.

This seem to fire up Reigatian again with another three tries before half time. First Tom Woodford made an outstanding break to find Skinner in support who looked like he was going to score but with one defender to beat showed a cool head to pass inside to replacement George Perry to score. Great to see Perry back in action following a recent injury. Again Skinner was on form with his boot to add the conversion 27-7 after 31 minutes. Five minutes later Woodford again causing the defence issues with line break this time it was Jack Baart in support making more ground before passing to Quartermaine to finish off the try, Skinner with the extras 33-7. Before half time there was enough left on the clock for one more attack again Tiffs defended well but again Courtney-Walker picked up from a short distance and powered his way over for his second try of the half, Skinner added 2 more points and at half time Reigatian’s lead was 40-7 try scoring bonus point in the bag.

The half time talk was centred around keeping the momentum and making sure the performance level was maintained. For the start of the half OR’s continued their form of the first half within ten minutes Rob Williamson crossed the whitewash for the home sides seventh try to make it 45-7 two minutes later must be the try of the season so far for the Blue & Greens, Sam Foreman who has been in outstanding form this season made his typical hard yards and breaking tackles some how got the ball away to Finn Coyle whose pace down the left wing suddenly open play up, he feed inside to Jack Baart the pass slightly behind Baart who managed to catch the ball behind him while run a full pace not only gained control of the ball but feed back to Williamson who scored his second try in three minutes. Champagne rugby from the home side. Skinner added the two points to stretch the lead to 52-7.

This seasons Captain Reilly Franklin-Talbot and last season’s George Wheeler made way from Dan Grant & Ciaran Nestor respectfully. Again credit to Tiffs they were not going to give up and managed to come back at the hosts to score their second try of the afternoon to make it 52-14. With ten minutes left ORs were not finished and Man of the Match Tom Woodford again the initial break with both Wingers in support firstly Coyle kept collected from Woodford and Quartermanine was in support to claim the home sides last try of the afternoon with Skinner suffering from cramp fittingly Tom Woodford scored the last points adding the conversion to bring the score to 59-14. Tiffs kept going and with Courtney-Walker in the bin Tiffs managed another score to miss out on the try scoring bonus point by one but make the final score 59-19. This move Old Reigatian to second in the league just two points behind Reeds.

Also at Park Lane the 2nd XV led by Callum Buchan scored a convincing win over KCS 43-19. But Saturday was a lot more than a games of Rugby it was an opportunity for One Club to pull together and show it’s support and respect for a great clubman who not only Captained the 1st XV but coached the age groups to help produce future 1st XV players like his son Tom. RIP Richard Woodford 1972-2021