Mitcham & Carshalton have recorded three wins out of 4 in 2022 so far, with their most recent victory coming away at Reigate on Saturday. For those that have played at Reigate away in the winter knew the muddy conditions that were coming however Storm Eunice had taken its toll too turning the pitch into a literal swamp. To say the ball was a bar of soap would only be fair if you imagined that the pitch, the players and clothes were too made of soap. Due to the conditions, most of the match was played in the midfield, with the ball barely reaching the centres on both sides, just forwards crashing into each other. Not the most beautiful game of rugby every played.
Before the game kicked off, both sides retired the No. 11 shirt in memory of Jack Jeffery, who passed away last Saturday playing for Evesham. A terrible tragedy for everyone involved in grassroots rugby. A minutes applause was also observed.
Despite possession chopping and changing every few minutes whilst both teams tried to get to grips with the conditions, M&C drew first blood within the first ten minutes, where Second Row and our Women’s DOR, Conor Kane, went crashing over the line from a few meters out. Reigate then regained their composure and started to utilise the dire conditions, opting for a relentless crash ball method. Their big players kept coming and eventually drove over a few minutes laer, equalising the scoreline. Soon after that Reigate took the lead with a slightly dubious try on the far corner, which was failed to be converted, putting Reigate ahead before the half.
Mitcham went into the half 5 points down, but still very much in the game. As we kicked off in the second half, M&C were on the ascendancy and it wasn't long before Paul Whittall, plying his trade at Flanker on the day, found a gap following an offload and took the ball over the line from 15m out. This too was converted by a Paul Jones, operating as Fly-Half.
With 10 minutes to play on the clock, Reigate were awarded a penalty 15m away from the post, which would have put Reigate 15-14 ahead. This however was missed and Jones was able to clear away the danger from a ’22 drop out. In the dying moments of the game, M&C desperately tried to retain possession. Jones managed to put the ball deep into Reigate’s half and Mitcham were able to keep them in there until the clock had gone red. A final knock-on from Reigate ended the game as a competition and balled was cleared off the pitch (by a suspiciously clean Paul Jones) to conclude Mitcham’s 8th win of the season.
Whilst M&C did well in the game, ultimately the victor boiled down to which team that won dropped the ball in less key areas. We look forward to playing Reigate again next season where hopefully both sides will be able to enjoy a far more open, free playing game of rugby.
Tries: C.Kane, P. Whittall
Conversions: P. Jones x 2
MOTM - Aaron Parsons - Excellent carries, got himself everywhere on the pitch, solid hits all games. Enough said.
DOTD - JohnJoe Dolan (Again) - For crying off a 1.30am, crying back on as a sub, leaving the match at half time only to be found after the match by the Captain asleep in the changing rooms. Incredible.
No game for 1XV next week, but the 2XV are in action against the CSSC Barbarians at home on 26th Feb. The following week, our 1XV welcome lead leaders Streatham & Croydon to Dewsbury Cottage and
#WeRise
