After a disappointing result last week, it was important that SCRFC mens 1st XV got back to it and record a victory against Haslemere. Although the unbeaten run is over and hopes for an undefeated season have been dashed, the objective of this season has always been to gain promotion out of Surrey 4. Whilst the team were frustrated to lose their first game since 2020, they could still achieve what was set out at the beginning of the season and win the league. Haslemere made the long journey from deepest darkest Surrey for a game at Fortress Frant at the tail end of Storm Eunice's escapades in the UK.

Strets were able to name a strong team who all looked gleeful when turning up in the pouring rain and battering winds, not at all regretting any life decisions. The warm up, led by coach-for-the-day Barney Barnes, assistant to the coach-for-the-day Rolstone Langmead and kit man Nic Farrugia was short and sharp. Minds were focused on the task ahead, and no words were needed by the inspirational, returning captain Freddy Green (fresh from his Covid holiday) to gee up the boys for this one.

The game started quickly, with both teams finding controlling the ball in poor conditions difficult. However, for the first 10 minutes Strets were camped out in the opposition 22. After early scrums were dominated by the Strets front row (The Chisel, Jonny the Daddy, Hardons), Haslemere resorted to bringing on another prop after 10 minutes to shore up the scrum. Whilst the scrums were certainly more even, the customary dominance at scrum time displayed by the Strets team remained, with captain and 8 Freddy Green adding a try darting over from 5m out. Converted by 10 Adam Sheehy.

Shortly afterwards, after some strong running from above average sized Lou Green and side piece Jack Hardwick, Sheehy was able to add to his try tally for the season by squeezing through a gap and dotting down across the whitewash. In what was truly a forwards game given the conditions, Sheehy and 9 Freddie Smart did remarkably well with making things happen with the increasingly cold back line.

Not long afterwards, fresh from his relaxing holiday after becoming a new father, Jonny "The Daddy" Orrit managed to take advantage of momentum created by strong running from the forward pack and former prop Charlie Pattihis to crash over from 10 metres out. Half time followed, with encouraging words from the Strets coaching team. Achieving a defensive shut-out was now the objective of the game, renewing the pride in what was such a strong defensive earlier in the season.

Continuing his remarkable games to tries ratio, Freddie Smart, using that strong chin of his, swatted off some defenders before adding to the strets growing score. Sheehy steps up to convert. The taller Freddy, Green, then added to his tally for the day scoring another typical 8 gimme try that should truthfully be awarded to the pack in general. However he is the captain and runs the website, so I think he'll keep it. Sheehy converts to make the score 31-0. A big shout out has to be given to Jack Hardwick, who was asked to play prop forward with little notice and gave a performance which showed he has big potential in this position, which he is really happy about I'm sure.

The game continued in similar fashion, with Strets putting out a dominant performance against a spirited Haslemere side who kept battling to the end. The opposition were constantly a nuisance at the breakdown and showed great fire to remain in the game. Lamont Bryan, battling a recent calf injury completed the rout, with a try in the corner at the end. Lamont had earlier been yellow carded for a (marginally) high tackle, but fortunately for him, the returning Matt Walpole stole the Dick of the Day mantle by denying Matt "Rocky" Doherty his first try in Strets colours by picking up the ball at the back of a still driving scrum from the flanker position. Poor old Matt also momentarily lost the ability to see after getting a finger in the eye. However it was a good display from the bench after a recent injury from the boy from Haslemere. Vinny Auguiste made his return to the 1st team after a while out in the final 15 minutes, but couldn't get his elusive meat pie with his traditional pick and go following the hard work of the forwards.

And with that the game was brought to a close, with Strets completing a second shut-out win of the season. Beers duly followed, shared among the Haslemere boys after the game. It was a really welcome return to form for the Strets boys, who will complete the season with games against Mitcham (a) on the 5th and Wandsworthians (tbc) on the 12th.

As returning winger/prop Vinny likes to say - C'mon Strets

MotM - Jack Hardwick
DoD - Matt Walpole
Man of Steel - Lou Green