PJF Kick off the league season with a narrow loss in the dying seconds

PJF were caught in traffic on the way to Cranleigh because of the M3 incident. However PJF started well with Joe Dwyer going over for an opening try with Mas adding the extra points. From the restart PJF made an error that led to a Cranleigh line out on the PJF 5m line. The bigger Cranleigh pack drove over the line and then tied the score with the kick. PJF retook the lead with Massimo going over for a try. The kick was missed. Again having got themselves into the lead PJF conceded number of penalties which saw Cranleigh converting two of them to get back to 12-13. Despite the errors PJF were playing some fantastic rugby and just before half time Cranleigh were penalised for a high tackle and Mas converted to see PJF go in at half time with a 15 - 13 lead. Just before half time Dom Driver was yellow carded.
The first 10 minutes of the second half saw PJF, still with Dom in the bin, have their worst period of the game and conceded 3 quick tries that saw Cranleigh into a comfortable 32 - 15 lead. There followed a period of 10 minutes with neither side scoring. The game suddenly sprung back into life with Phil going over in the corner for a good solo try. Joey Dwyer then went in under the post and Liam added the conversion to get PJF back to within 5 points of Cranleigh. But Cranleigh were not finished when they forced themselves over under the posts. The conversion was added and it looked all over for PJF but nobody had told the lads and Joey Dwyer went in under the posts for his hat trick. Mas hurriedly took the conversion and missed. The score was now 32 - 39. PJF continued to attack and after a series of penalties against the home side Joey Casartelli forced himself over the line but couldn't ground the ball because of a high tackle. The referee awarded the penalty try, which is now an automatic 7 points. The game was all square with a minute to go. PJF were adjudged to have infringed just inside their own half. With the final kick of the game the Cranleigh full back converted the 40m+ kick to win the game for the home side 42 - 39. PJF were left disappointed but came away with two bonus points for their tally of six tries and a losing bonus point for only losing the game by 3 points.
PJF on reflection lost the game because of errors and the number of penalties conceded, but on the plus side the side scored six tries. If PJF can reduce the penalty count against them and increase their presence in the opposition's half they should be in for an excellent season. The lads fought hard and never gave up and their ability to get back into the game showed a big improvement on previous seasons. The early pace setters in the league look to be Reeds, Weybridge, Wellingtonians and Haileyburians. But none of the sides in this league should be taken for granted and PJF will have to earn every result they get in this league.