Text by Will Oxley
Haslemere were again playing an unbeaten team in Surrey 4 League fixture at home, this time against Reigate. Haslemere had a few injuries that saw Sam Beadle move to fly half with James Clarke into outside centre.
The first half saw Reigate take advantage of Haslemere mistakes to rack up 4 tries putting 27 unanswered points on the board. The Haslemere scrum was at a disadvantage as the opposition front row were largely dominant despite the wily skills of prop Al Kiley, Reigate were successfully wheeling the Haslemere scrums and so winning the put in or disrupting the platform for Haslemere to attack from.
Reigate got on the board early on with a penalty kick, 0-3. Haslemere were making the mistakes that allowed Reigate to use there centres as battering rams before offloading to the supporting runners leading to their first try, 0-8. Haslemere had some forward momentum with prop Zorro Hawkes and no8 Damian Kellerman driving up at the heart of the Reigate forwards attacking the Reigate try line before the ball was shipped out the backs form scum half Josh Andrade, but a pass out of the tackle was unfortunately picked off by the Reigate backs and he sprinted to score under the posts, 0-15. Reigate then managed a further 2 tries to end the half leading by 0-27.
The second half saw a few changes from the start of the match with James Blatherwick injured, Shane Vickery moved into the centre. Plus Steve Simons came on as scrum half with Andrade moving to hooker. The half started brighter for Haslemere who went toe to toe with Reigate and had a lot of possession in the opposition half. The forwards were working hard as a unit to retain the ball and gain yards through the middle. The problem was winning ball at the line outs and scrums was still difficult but Reigate were pinned in their half as they tried to run the ball from deep rather then kick.
In the last 15 minutes Reigate were pushing more into Haslemere territory scoring another try. Then a Reigate scrum on the Haslemere 5 metre line with their powerful forwards controlling the push allowing the number 8 a simple pick up and dive for the score. Just before the end Haslemere were reduced to 14 men with a yellow card, although an earlier incident from Reigate went unpunished as the Referee was unable to get the Reigate players number. With only a few minutes left the reduced numbers had no impact as Reigate finished winners 39-0.
Haslemere have a week off and then Old Haileyburians away on 15th November then Woking at home. Haslemere continue to train up at Woolmer Hill sports ground GU27 1QA every Wednesday night from 7:15, with food at 9pm and open bar. Just call coach John Hatcher on 07709 187514, or turn up to training. Please see the website at haslemererugby.co.uk for more information about the club.