Walden gain two bonus points on the Road

Heartbreak for Walden as they come so close to notching up their first win of the season away at Ruislip.
On a breezy but dry afternoon the game kicked off and Ruislip were first to put points on the board with a converted try after 7 mins. A nervy start by Walden meant they were often on the back foot and defending inside their own half for the first quarter of the game. But despite the early score they were working hard and realised that for the first time this season they were on a par with the opposition.
Walden’s first score came as they won possession 10 metres inside their own half and the ball was sped down the line to left winger Paul Marshall who chipped over the top of his opposite number, regathering the ball he ran deep into the home teams half. With just the fullback to beat he found centre Adam Miles on his shoulder and popped a perfect pass to Miles who raced over under the posts. Fullback Price converted and Walden were level after 22 mins.
With only 5 mins of the half remaining Ruislip scored an unconverted try after a cross field kick, a fortuitous bounce enabled the winger to touch down in the corner to go 12 -7 up but Walden hit back regaining the ball from the kick off to set up a couple of phases before flanker Ben Stapleton found a gap in the defence to score a converted try to put Walden up 12 – 14 at half time.
In the second half Ruislip once again showed some determination and scored with another unconverted try to regain the lead 17 -14 after 43 mins.
Walden hit back straight from the kick off as once again Walden regained the kick off and a couple of neat phases to put 2nd row Matt Holden through to score going back in front at 21 -17.
Ruislip were in the ascendency for the next 20 mins first gaining a penalty then scoring their 4th try making the score 25 – 20 in their favour with only 10 mins to go.
A strong break by young winger Oscar Norman put Walden deep inside the Ruislip half and as they worked their way into the home teams 22. a couple of phases later and the ball was fed out to Mark Kimberley playing only his 3rd game at fly half and he shaped to pass but found a gap in the defence which he scythed through to score under the posts putting Walden 3 points ahead with only 5 mins on the board.
Unfortunately for Walden they conceded a couple of penalties that so easily could have gone in the other direction and Ruislip kicked the ball to the corner to set up the last play of the game. A well worked line out drill saw a catch and drive and despite 3 of the attacking forwards breaking off the maul 4 metres out and they might have conceded a penalty for truck and trailer they got the ball over the line and the Referee awarded the try to break Walden hearts leaving the final score at 30- 28.
Walden can reflect that they have gained 2 bonus points away from home and can take heart from a much better performance. With some hard work during the week they will know know that they can soon go one better to gain that vital first win.
We are always on the look out for new players to play either in the first team in London N1 or the Saxons (2nd team) in Eastern Counties 1West, if you are interested in joining our friendly club please contact either info@swrfc.co.uk or graham.marshall2@ntlworld.com