Well, I asked for it, and we got it! A much improved performance against Egham who made light work of us last season. Mitcham started strongly, blowing Egham out of the water with two quick successive tries from Chris Gilbert on his return to the 1XV and Ryan Jones, also starting for the first time this season. Then, Egham came back into the match, scoring three consecutive tries, with their backs sending M&C players left on right and capitalising on our lack of organisation.
The second half continued in a similar vein, with Jones scoring a second, as well as Johnjoe Dolan and Bryan Jones getting their first league tries of the season. Then again, some poor defending and disipline meant M&C went down to 14 men, where Egham took advantage, scoring a third and fourth try. Mitcham’s could have taken the win in the last ten minutes, but for a disallowed try, with No. 8 Tom Parker alleged to have placed a foot in touch before diving over in the corner.
Honours were clearly destined to be level, until M&C’s scrum capitulated in the last play of the game, allowing Egham to kick for the posts. The kick was missed with the referee then judging the ball to have gone dead. 27 points apiece.
While only a draw, a bonus point and a point for a draw gets us up and running for the season, and now with 3 weeks off, our eyes turn to Raynes Park away on 21st October. Come on Mitcham!
Tries: R. Jones x 2, C. Gilbert, J. Dolan, B. Jones
Cons: P. Jones
MOTM - R. Jones - Outstanding at 9, two tries and ran rampant all game
DOTD - Contender for MOTM with his carries, but a kick in the last 5 mins from a prop, surrounded by other forwards is unacceptable!
