To The Victor Belong The Spoils

On the back of a comfortable if unspectacular victory against Basingstoke, a team who are destined to pass through London 2SW after only one season, King’s were this week back against familiar opposition in Old Reigatian. The Reigate GS alumni have been Level 7 stalwarts for a decade or more and are almost invariably a tough nut to crack, with games rarely decided by more than the odd score. Indeed when King’s were exiled to London 2SE in 2009-10 they found OR waiting, and that year the teams were divided by just 1pt over 160mins, drawing 21-21 in Reigate before the sides played out a 56-55 epic back at Motspur Park. This season after 12 games the clubs were separated by 4 places (3rd to 7th) but just 7 points going into the fixture with the league proving to be nothing if not competitive.

For their trip to the picturesque Surrey countryside King’s showed several changes from the side who took the field just seven days earlier. Back in the starting fifteen were two former club captains in Nick Burberry and Patrick Smith and the inclusion of the pair, allied with two from the KCS teaching staff, swelled the ‘old boys’ tally to a commendable nine. Under bright blue skies, with an excellent playing surface underfoot and in front of a rambunctious and partisan crowd, Oxfordshire exchange referee Iain Wakefield blew his whistle just a shade after 2pm.

From the off the teams tore into one another and the first few minutes saw the antagonists trading blows at close quarters, both showing admirable skill in keeping the ball alive despite some shuddering tackles going in. It soon became apparent that OR were, understandably, determined not to allow King’s three-quarters time or space. With a lumpy pack on display the first scrum showed OR were plainly fired up as they got an ominous nudge on the visitors. Not long after King’s were forced into a change, far sooner than they would have wished, as Tom Smith was withdrawn with a blood injury, Chris Breslin sliding out to the wing with Barry Williams on into the back row. Slowly the hosts began to assert a degree of control in respect of both territory and possession and on 19mins a rolling-maul saw them move within range and a couple of phases later they were over in the corner, improved by a fine conversion; 7-0.

As the half wore on things looked to have improved for King’s and there was increased parity at the set piece, aided by the introduction of prop Brett Williams, frustrating the scrummaging tactics of the home loosehead who was reduced to seeking to provoke the replacement in an apparent, but failed, bid to encourage the referee to absent Williams from proceedings. Just as King’s thought they may have weathered the storm, OR reverted to type and another driven line-out gained plentiful ground. A penalty was awarded and having taken it quickly the home side smuggled their way over the line for an unconverted try; 12-0. Bloodied but unbowed King’s did all they could to register a score of their own and a lung-bursting run from James Grabowski, supported by Will Slater and Breslin, saw the latter tackled in the act of stretching for the line, the ball scrambled into touch by relieved defenders in what transpired to be the last play of the half.

Half-time: 12 – 0

Given the relative dominance of the home team in the first period those clad in dark blue and green on the touchline were audibly optimistic that their boys appeared be poised to end a four game losing streak against their visitors. That said, even the most loyal supporter must have been a little anxious to see the narrow margin of the lead and it was a credit to the King’s defence that their hosts had been restricted to just two scores. With the half just 3mins old the OR faithful were stunned into silence as when the patched up Tom Smith received the ball inside his own half, he and Guy Tyler between them scythed through the home defence, Tyler tackled just a few metres short. Slater sniped and came even closer, but it was left to Joe Mason to gain the crucial inches. Slater added the extras and King’s were up and running; 12-7.

For OR things could have got worse soon after as King’s were awarded a kickable penalty but this time Slater’s attempt slid a fraction wide. OR went into consolidation mode and endeavoured to narrow the game once more and gain territory, which they did with good effect. On 14mins the hosts caught a break as King’s were penalised for playing the ball in an off-side position, the referee declining to acknowledge the two knock-ons (one for each side) which preceded it. Whilst the penalty may have been fortunate, the kick was anything but and the lead was extended; 15-7. The next score was imperative, and as King’s surged across halfway OR transgressed coming off their feet. Slater tapped and burst up-field stopped only by a high-tackle which saw a penalty awarded and ten minutes in the cooler for the host’s blindside. Slater composed himself and did the necessary from the tee; 15-10.

With 68mins gone it was a shame to see the Reigatian out-half leave the field with a leg injury and it proved to be telling as when a penalty was won just 6mins later the absence of their frontline kicker proved costly as his understudy simply did not have the necessary range. With the clock ticking down something extraordinary was required and it was King’s who mustered it. Without warning the OR defensive door came ajar and Luke Minors wasted no time kicking it down arrowing though a gap and sprinting fully 45m into the home 22 before offloading to Tom Smith who crossed equidistant between the posts and the corner. A usually routine conversion suddenly became crucial and Slater did well to keep his cool to put King’s into the lead for the first time; 15-17. With three minutes to play King’s needed only to close the game out and they did just that, Sam Young booting the ball into touch from the back of a scrum to pre-empt the referee’s whistle.

As ever, the game between these clubs was competitive and could quite conceivably have gone either way, as it was King’s left Park Lane with a hard fought win to consolidate their league place and in so doing recorded their third successive victory. Reigatian graciously nominated Barry Williams as the MOM, no mean feat given he played just 65mins, but recognition of the impact he had in keeping King’s going forward and simultaneously preventing OR doing likewise. We shall, baring something strange, look forward to renewing hostilities with Old Reigatian once again next year.

Next up for King’s is a home clash against Weybridge Vandals who got the better of the old boys in a dour game back in October. Vandals themselves beat OR just a week ago and despite their lowly league position and a loss today to London Exiles have already showed that are not a team to be underestimated. For King’s they can take heart from the grit and resolve displayed in a game in which they did well to prevail.

Tries: Mason, T Smith

Conversions: Slater x 2

Pens: Slater

Photos from the game here: http://www.surreymirror.co.uk/pictures/PHOTOS-Old-Reigatian-Rugby-Football-Club-KCS-Old/pictures-28543239-detail/pictures.html