MET's CASE FOR DEFENCE WINS TOP SPOT

A thrilling game of rugby at Old Rutlishians saw the Met edge to the top of Surrey 3 by the slenderest of margins. Whilst the two familiar rivals battled out an eight try epic in the gathering gloom, league pacesetters, Old Caterhamians, were having their free-try-scoring exploits curbed by Horley.
Old Ruts proved to be the Mets' most formidable opponents to date: the exciting running of their wide backs and the speed and destructiveness of their back row had the Police playing a majority of the game on the back foot and it turned into a magnificent defensive performance, augmented by just enough flashes of attacking prowess to eek out the finest of bonus point wins.
The first half began and ended all square whilst serving up four converted tries in the interim. Kyle Richards and that old stalwart, Gavin Bolton, touched down for the Police to match Old Ruts' efforts but it looked from the sidelines as though the home team may just have the edge, being able to take the advantage of a cool breeze and slight slope into the second half. But the Met clearly had other ideas and the early exchanges of the second half saw the Met exerting power and authority, not least through a storming run out of his own 22 by Chris Bamber-Blake which entrenched the Met on Old Ruts' try line. The home defence held strong as the Police pummelled away on the right; as play swung over to the left, a powerful trundle from the Met pack saw the ball end up in Healy's hands and, despite the presence of several defenders, he appeared to dive over the line for the try. But as Healy smashed the ball over the line it appeared to bounce forward and the ref had no hesitation in disallowing the try.
The set-back seemed to take a bit of wind out of the visitors' sails, and Ruts slowly made their way back down field. Territory continued to be exchanged and a try by Brad Pace was bettered by a converted try for Ruts. As the clubhouse lighting began to outshine the daylight, Ruts had secured a 21-19 lead. Play continued to be thrilling and unpredictable: O'Connor made many hard yards for the Police but Ruts back row and midfield always seemed to snaffle the ball or secure the set piece. Nevertheless, the Police , through sheer willpower and teamwork managed to find themselves a fourth try and that all important bonus point, Steven Routledge claiming the touchdown. With Ruts temporarily struggling to regain their composure, the restart was flunked and the Met forced their way back towards the home posts. A Ruts infringement saw Connelly slot a simple penalty and it seemed that the Met may be home and dry, with a lead of 27-21.
But the game was by no means done: it appeared that the Met had gone into self-destruct mode as almost from the re-start, and with just eight minutes remaining, the referee's whistle began a steady lament, penalising the Met at almost every breakdown. With Ruts knowing that they needed to secure a fourth try of their own, for a win as well as a bonus point, the Met were still able to use their brilliant defence to keep the game at least fifty metres from their try line. And then disaster struck: on Ruts 22, a further infringement resulted in a yellow card and the Police faced the denouement with just fourteen men. Ruts surged downfield; debutant full-back Simon Hall was being dragged all over the field and it seemed Ruts must score. Only brilliant tackling and scrambled defence kept the Thin Blue Line intact. A relieving penalty also helped but a dreadful execution saw Ruts running back the loose ball and scoring the vital fourth try. 27-26.
The Met now had to hang on as the clock ticked far too slowly towards full-time. A further series of penalties for the home side saw Ruts battering their way back at the Met line and, with mere seconds remaining, a penalty almost in front of the Met posts on the 22 seemed certain to herald the end of the Met's unbeaten record. As the referee yelled for silence and for the defence to stand still, Ruts kicker slightly pulled his kick. The chance was gone, the Met had won. What a game!
So now at the top of the table owing to Old Cats failure to secure a bonus point, the Met can look forward to entertaining improving Worth Old Boys, knowing that the Met's all round game has stood its sternest test. With a little more precision and care at the breakdown and straighter running lines off the fringes, the Met team can take on all comers.