Match Report: Old Reigatians 22- 39 Pilgrims

Old Reigatians 22
Pilgrims 39

The Pilgrims travelled away to Surrey based old Reigatians for the first time on Saturday, looking to build on their first win of the season last time out against Dartfordians.
The city side started brightly and took the lead from a Collins penalty goal after a matter minutes after Old R’s struggled to deal with Pilgrims’ speed and intentionally slowed down at a ruck. 0-3.
Owain Collins- who had a strong all round game, then turned provider as his strong run and pass set debutant winger Owen Hewett over for the first of his 4 try’s. 0-8.
Old R’s responded well and showed they would be a threat with ball in hand, moving the ball well and exploiting space out wide to score in the corner. 5-8.
Pilgrims then allowed Old R’s to level after Prop Harry Drane was penalised for a tip tackle in front of the posts which was easily converted. 8-8.
The pilgrims then started to click into gear as forwards and backs moved the ball seamlessly through the phases. Aiden Moss’ classy line break saw him glide into the back field and unselfishly pass to the supporting Hewett who dotted his 2nd under the posts making the conversion a formality. 8-15.
A great break by Gus Lister saw him beat a number of defenders before being stopped short of the line, half backs Valladares and Hilton moved the ball quickly and put the supporting Hewett in for a debut hattrick, 8-22.
The backs rewarded the forwards hard work with some exceptional handling sending The impressive Hewett over in the corner for his 4th, securing a try bonus point in the process. 8-27.
The city side added a fifth on the stroke of half time, another impressive break by Lister saw him pop to wing man Archie English to dot down and bring Pilgrims best half of rugby so far this season to a close. 8-32.
Old Reigatians could have thrown in the towel at this point, but they started the 2nd half strongly and showed they would still pose a threat if Pilgrims took their foot off the gas.
A missed tackle in midfield allowed them to get in behind the pilgrims defence and good support play saw them score under the posts to make it 15-32.
If the first half showcased their attacking abilities, the 2nd showed they were able to absorb long periods of pressure as Old R’s looked to get back in the game, helped by pilgrims own indiscipline at times.
The Pilgrims weee struggling with the inconsistent management of the game and these frustrations saw Valladares yellow carded for back chat to the referee. Pilgrims defence remained resolute and after a lineout was well won by the forwards, Hilton’s wide pass sent No. 8 Al Evans through a gap in midfield and he drew the fullback and put Ed Thompson in the clear to run in for a score his recent performances have deserved to take the score to 15-39. Shortly afterwards Hewett was also sent to the sin bin to reduce the Pilgrims to 13. Old Reigatians took advantage of their 2 man advantage to add their third try of the afternoon as the clocked ticked down to make the final score 22-39 and secure the Pilgrims a well deserved bonus point win on the road. A week off next weekend sees the Pilgrims return to action the following Saturday at the MTG against Old Colfeians.