Men's 1st XV
Matches
Sat 02 Oct 2021  ·  Surrey 4
Woking
5
80
Streatham-Croydon RFC
Men's 1st XV
Tries: I Campbell (3), F Smart, L Bryan (2), A Sheehy, B Cowell (2), R Langmead, J Orritt, A BarnesConversions: A Sheehy (10)
SCRFC mens 1st XV continue unbeaten start despite poor weather conditions

SCRFC mens 1st XV continue unbeaten start despite poor weather conditions

Freddy Green4 Oct 2021 - 16:36
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The heavens opened during SCRFC 1st XV's first away game against Woking RFC, however this did not prevent SCRFC from recording another W

The difference in conditions could not have been starker following last weeks beautiful late Summers day, as it rained proverbial cats and dogs and all the rest during SCRFC mens 1st XV first away game of the season at Woking RFC. Following a big win and a strong performance last week against a good Old Paulines team, this weeks opposition was a bit of an unknown as their previous two games had been called off. However spirits were high upon arrival, even if necks were sore after some aggressive but effective driving in club president/minibus driver Bob Deans Spectacular Bus of Fun.

The "warm up" was short and sharp, with no need in staying out for too long in conditions like these. It was clear that a gameplan to suit the weather had to be implemented as the previous examples shown this season of open and expansive rugby shown by the SCRFC mens team was going to be difficult to apply. However with a strong back three featuring the returning Ibby Campbell and Ben Cowell, stretching the play would always give us opportunities. Former prop and captain-for-the-day Charlie Pattihis ensured that the pre-match chat was around keeping it tight, but going wide utilising the outside pace when we could was essential. Even without inspirational captain Freddy Green, confidence was high going into this one.

To say it started well would be an understatement. Freddy Smart back to his usual position at nine after a foray into the centres last week was not happy to accept the scrum following an opposition knock on, took advantage and picked up the ball to score within 3 minutes. Conversion duly followed by Adam Sheehy. The following 10 minutes continued to follow suit, with SCRFC taking advantage of the slippy ball to force errors from the opposition and continue their hot scoring streak, with Ibby Campbell, Rolstone Langmead scoring to bring the score to 19-0. The referee cruelly ruled out a try by Ibby Campbell after he touched down following a lovely kick over the top from 10 Sheehy.

The opposition, already accepting that they did not have the pace to offer any problems to our backline, played very tight rugby, picking and going with their heavy forwards. This pays dividends for them and they score in the corner. Would this be a recurring problem the boys would have to face? (Spoiler - no it wasn't). The score sits at 19-5.

Returning centre Lamont Bryan, back to his usual unstoppable running when he gets going, quickly responds with a powerful charge from the opposition 22 to score under the posts. Conversion scored by Adam Sheehy. (He scores > 80% of our conversions so its better use of everyone's time if I just flag when he didn't actually slot it). Barney Barnes decides to vent his frustrations on no one complimenting his Porsche recently by chucking around some rather disgusting hand-offs, one in particular on a poor wee Woking 15 which took him over the try line for another touch down.

Unfortunately, although I know I will regret this and this will go straight to his head, credit where credits due, Ben Cowell scores one of the best tries seen in the SCRFC team in recent years with a wonderful solo effort. After picking up the ball nearer our own try line, he then goes on a mazy run, beating defenders before chipping a perfectly weighted kick which he followed up with along the floor, touching down under the posts. Que "Legit the best try I've ever scored" from the showers post game. Half time. At this point VC Max Thomasson who was making notes on what was happening makes his way onto the pitch...

Many more tries come in an utterly dominant second period, which unfortunately became ill-tempered, with plenty of flare ups occuring with at this point, a beleaguered opposition. Jonny Orritt scores again to make it 2 from 2, Ibby completes his hatrick to take him to to the top of the try scorer leaderboard, the excellent Lamont gets another, as does Ben Cowell, and determined to continue his very high scoring rate Adam Sheehy scores to complete the rout. 80-5.

Quite the game at Woking RFC despite some horrendous conditions, with some lovely and adapted rugby being played by the SCRFC boys. A raucous minibus home followed, with many a bottle of port drunk, and Max having some quiet moments of self reflection.

The mens 1st XV now have a two week break with a bye week and a walkover from a Uni of Surrey team who have pulled out of Surrey 4, with our next fixture on the 23rd away at Reigate.

Man of the Match - Lamont Bryan, for continuing his strong form with his devastating running
Dick of the Day - Max Thomason, for throwing some pretty horrendous darts on his arrival to the pitch. He was over the moon with his nomination.

Match details

Match date

Sat 02 Oct 2021

Kickoff

15:00

Meet time

13:30

Competition

Surrey 4

League position

2
Streatham-Croydon
6
Woking
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Sponsor - Parkside Fabrications
Club Sponsor - Metro South Mechanical
Club Sponsor - Croydon Asphalt
Women's Shirt Sponsor - Anthony Gold