SURREY ALLIANCE
14/10/06
LCRFC 2s vs LONDON EXILES 2s

London Cornish 2s 65 - London Exiles 2s 7

A light breezy day was the setting at the Richard Evans Memorial Ground for the unbeaten 2’s to continue their fine start to the season. The return of talismanic skipper “Uncle Damo” ensured that despite a much anticipated encounter with Richmond in the Surrey Alliance being cancelled late on, we were to approach our friendly match with fellow unbeaten London Exiles with the same attitude that has done us so well thus far in the season. The team was there early, out on the pitch warming up whilst the oppo were still stuck in traffic on the A3. Despite a few members having one too many sherry’s the night before, the team were able to get an efficient and thorough warm up done, and were ready for the delayed kick-off!! With some old heads and new, the team was ready to step it up a gear and put the message out to the other team that we mean business. There were some late changes to the team which gave debuts for Jim “Big Guns” Reynolds, Tim Rooke, Harry Turner + Keith Thompson, who are all backs!!

Straight from the kick-off, the Cornish pack steamed into the Exiles team, chasing down the ball like a pack of blood thirsty hounds. This ensured a very pacey backs lineup (who were playing together for the first time) decent quick ball to take forward. And they did it with style, in a mesmerising first half – with MOM scrum-half Jim Reynolds and Tom Rooke at no. 10 dictating the play, a total of nine tries were scored to nil. The forwards dutifully completed the task asked of them, ensuring they hit each ruck and maul with force and vigour. A formidable front five (with welcome returns of Ashley Holloway at hooker and “Uncle” Jay Stirrett returning at lock) ensured solid set piece ball for Cornish as well as plenty of turnover ball at the scrum and the lineout!! Along with the Cornish back row supporting the loose play, digging the ball out of rucks and mauls like demented moles, a try fest ensued with back three, Rob Oakley grabbing a hat-trick, Harry Turner + Matt Strover each getting a brace. Keith Thompson, Jim Reynolds, Uncle Damo also getting on the scoresheet.

As good as the first half was, a perennial problem did come back to haunt the 2’s. With the comfort zone reached, the attitude indeed slipped in the second half. Along with a rejuvenated London Exiles team, there were frustrating times emphasised by some atrocious first up tackling as well as some half hearted support play. For a team who managed 9 tries in the first half, the second half produced only 2 as Cornish took their foot off the pedal whilst Exiles upped their game 2-fold!! This was most prominent towards in the last quarter of the game and Cornish must be aware that they need to concentrate for the full 80min to ensure they meet the high standards they are setting themselves! Perhaps the last play of the game was a wake up call Cornish needed as the Exiles most dangerous player (a wily silver fox at 13 with a decent turn of pace) managed to evade 4 Cornish defenders to dance through from 40 yards out. Just reward for an Exiles team who did not give up.

Despite some negatives, overall it was another brutal performance from the 2’s who grow in confidence every week. With each passing week, we are improving certain aspects of our games and it is a testament to the team, that despite averaging almost 50 points a game, we are still looking to better ourselves and achieve our full potential. As long as our confidence doesn’t turn into unwanted arrogance and complacency this 2’s team has the potential to have a very special season.

A final word is a thank you and well done to our currently injured 1st XV fly half , Andy Cooke who kindly took the referee berth for the afternoon – it was scary what a top job he did. A second final word is due to the Telegraph Inn, who provided their fourth different aftermatch dinner menu of the season, with a lovely turn of fish & chips. In some quarters of the seconds they no longer look forward to their saturday for the rugby but rather to the delights that Nick, Shannone and the team at the telegraph provide after match.

Team : Dave Moore, Ashley Holloway, Nigel McDavitt, Henry Howe, Jay Stirrett, Will Ho, Chris Milne, Duncan Morris, Jim Reynolds, Tom ‘Rookie’ Rooke, Harry Turner, Damo Stirrett (capt), Keith Thompson, Rob Oakley, Matt Strover


To return to the previous page please click here.