Horley Too Strong for Haslemere 1XV

After the disappointment of last week where Old Oundelians did not put out a team, Haslemere travelled over to just outside Gatwick to play the new team Horley, who had just migrated from the Sussex league. Despite the difficulty of finding the clubhouse and the late arrival of Harry Burt after kick off Haslemere started with a full team and a couple of substitutes.

Horley started brightly from the kick off and were soon into Haslemere territory with some direct running. An early penalty gave Horley a chance to kick for an easy three points but they kicked to touch for the line out and Haslemere managed to keep the subsequent catch and rolling drive away from the try line. This was repeated four times during the first half where Horley rescued the easy points only to fail at scoring a try from the line out as the Haslemere forwards like flanker Sam Powell tackled strongly under the leadership of Captain no8 Damian Kellerman.

Haslemere had opportunities in the first half with full back JP McCumisky showing his pace and elusiveness by finding gaps and running through tackles before finally being caught. In contrast the gaps that prop Zorro Hawkes found were up the middle as he rampaged up the pitch only for the off load pass not proving a scoring finish that it needed. The scrum was solid and produced some clean ball that allowed Kellerman to attack the fly half channel but Horley had a well drilled line out and they won most of their ball and some of the Haslemere throw in too. With neither side taking their chances the half ended 0-0.

For the second half Haslemere brought on Al Kiley as prop, Harry Burt as flanker, and Will Oxley to the wing replacing Neil Moseley. Horley started the second half quickly and broke through the once solid defence of Haslemere to score under the posts, 0-7. Horley were doing the simple stuff well by sending their big runners around the fringes to draw in the defence before then trying to release their quick centres out back. Unfortunately Haslemere were continually penalised by the referee on their own put in at the scrum for a myriad of offences that restricted their backs opportunities to run with the ball and allowed Horley to kick themselves back into the danger areas. Haslemere had a couple of chances including one from a strong drive from second row Dave Head that turned into a rolling maul, but Horley held their line well. Horley managed to score almost every ten minutes to finish 0-24.

Haslemere play their final match on the 12th April at home against Raynes Park after the midday Club brunch. Training continues on Wednesday from 7:30pm, with touch rugby on Tuesday from 8pm, both up at Woolmer Hill sports ground under flood lights.