Speedy Reeds Out Run Police

In sport, when the top two teams play each other it is usually a boring affair writes Simon Hall. Neither team wants to make a mistake nor risk it all for that glory moment. Saturday saw the top teams in Surrey 3 went head-to-head: both The Met and Reeds were in this game to win and what a ferocious game it was.

The Met came into the clash off the back of two strong, winning performances against Old Ruts and Old Haileyburians. Reeds are un-beaten this season in Surrey 3.

Reeds kicked-off and started at a great pace. For once The Met were out of the blocks quickly too and dominated the early exchanges. It was not long until the visitors opened the scoring. After a sustained passage of play in the Reeds half, Rory Byrne made a hard line back in towards the break down and fended off two tackles before going over the white wash and under the posts for the first try. With JJ Connelly missing from the Met line-up, Simon Hall stepped up to add the simple conversion.
The early set back ignited the young Reeds side and they unleashed their quick, fresh-faced back division. This is not to imply that the forwards were old though it was clear which group at spent most time at the coalface! It was a credit to the Met's defence that the first Reeds score was merely a penalty kick.
The large crowd did not have to wait long for The Met's own young speedster was brought into the game and after some fine phases from the forwards, Chris Holloway was let loose. His powerful strong running style proved too much for his young opposite number.
The Met should now have imposed themselves on the game but a string of penalties for offside allowed Reeds to regain territory and sneak over for a try of their own. The teams went into the half-time break with The Met leading 12-10.
The second half brought no let-up in pace. The Reeds ground possesses a significant slope and the pitch is a wide one; with an outside-half blessed with a long kick, and two fast wingers, the home team's game plan was clear. However, the first kick made by the 10 was a miss-hit…… or so it appeared. But the vagaries of a bouncing rugby ball are well documented and this one was collected by the alert Reeds winger who ran in to put the hosts ahead for the first time. The tactic was then repeated to the other wing and Reeds established what was to be an unassailable lead, even though both tries went unconverted.
The Met appeared to be given a life line when a fine run by Holloway saw him leave three chasing defenders in his wake as scored a solo effort in the corner. Reeds responded with a fifth try and another penalty. Not only was victory now in sight but so was another perfect 5 points, the eighth time Reeds have achieved a full-house this season. But The Met were not going to rollover and continued to hurl themselves into every tackle and every break down. With 5 minutes to go and trailing at least two scores, it became nigh on impossible to affect the result. Two-try hero Holloway was adjudged to have tackled an opponent dangerously and was red carded. As The Met faced the last few minutes with 14 men, Reeds slotted home the penalty to secure victory by 31 points to 17.
A neutral spectator would have gone home fully satisfied from the display given by both sides and, pending a disaster, it would be no surprise if these are the two sides to be promoted at the end of April.
The Met's last league match before Christmas is at Imber Court on 10th December when they entertain Old Johnians. It's a 2.30 kick off, and sure to be a cracker as third play fifth. See you there!