BackSat 13 Sep 2025 · Counties 2 Surrey
Old Whitgiftian
1st Team
0
43
Tries: A Short, W Ferguson, J Stirrup, D Richards, S Bailey, S Jardine, K ReesConversions: S Druce (4)
MET TAKE ADVANTAGE OF GENEROUS GIFTS
Neil SINCLAIR15 Sep - 16:42
Police throw away caution in 7-try rampage
The Met recorded an emphatic, bonus point victory at Old Whitgiftians with a superb all round performance that announces their potential for the season. The Old Whitgiftians outfit had started the season with a comfortable victory at Old Cranleighans and have become used to putting the Police to the sword in recent meetings. But this is a very different Met squad and they looked stronger, fitter and much better drilled than the Old Boys.
The first appearance of the season of Sam Bailey, Will Ferguson and Alaistair Short brought a level of disciplined aggression to the pack, and the new centre partnership of England Sevens' Sunni Jardine and debutant Kallum Rees injected pace and strength to the back line. The Met defence was not greatly tested but scrum half Joe Stirrup revelled in the forward momentum his pack maintained and the space it created. Sam Druce did not have his best day with the boot statistically but he marshalled the game adroitly and, with his coach's jacket on, must have been delighted with the team's performance.
It took the Met nearly 25 minutes to breakdown their hosts but once Alastair Short had forced his way over for the first try, the flood gates were opened. Tries followed very rapidly from Will Ferguson, Stirrup and Dylan Richards - clearly loving life in the No1 shirt - and the Met went into the break 26-0 ahead and with a try bonus secured.
Whitgiftians regathered some pride in the opening sallies of the second half although the Met line was barely threatened. Sam Bailey marked his return with a try just after the hour and it was rapidly followed with tries from both Met centres.
The game became something of a carnival atmosphere for the last 10 minutes with neither side able to trouble the scoreboard again. Nevertheless, the result was immensely satisfying: the first 5 points of the season and Whitgiftians shut out. After the opening weekend's rather flaky defending, the Met can be very satisfied with the unequivocal improvement.
Elsewhere in the league, only Chipstead and OH Exiles managed to maintain a winning record, but no team has secured maximum bonus points, so the nascent table is very tight with nine of the twelve clubs having secured a victory already.
The League takes next weekend off and the Met will look to hone their early season form with a rare clash with the military.
The first appearance of the season of Sam Bailey, Will Ferguson and Alaistair Short brought a level of disciplined aggression to the pack, and the new centre partnership of England Sevens' Sunni Jardine and debutant Kallum Rees injected pace and strength to the back line. The Met defence was not greatly tested but scrum half Joe Stirrup revelled in the forward momentum his pack maintained and the space it created. Sam Druce did not have his best day with the boot statistically but he marshalled the game adroitly and, with his coach's jacket on, must have been delighted with the team's performance.
It took the Met nearly 25 minutes to breakdown their hosts but once Alastair Short had forced his way over for the first try, the flood gates were opened. Tries followed very rapidly from Will Ferguson, Stirrup and Dylan Richards - clearly loving life in the No1 shirt - and the Met went into the break 26-0 ahead and with a try bonus secured.
Whitgiftians regathered some pride in the opening sallies of the second half although the Met line was barely threatened. Sam Bailey marked his return with a try just after the hour and it was rapidly followed with tries from both Met centres.
The game became something of a carnival atmosphere for the last 10 minutes with neither side able to trouble the scoreboard again. Nevertheless, the result was immensely satisfying: the first 5 points of the season and Whitgiftians shut out. After the opening weekend's rather flaky defending, the Met can be very satisfied with the unequivocal improvement.
Elsewhere in the league, only Chipstead and OH Exiles managed to maintain a winning record, but no team has secured maximum bonus points, so the nascent table is very tight with nine of the twelve clubs having secured a victory already.
The League takes next weekend off and the Met will look to hone their early season form with a rare clash with the military.
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