Gone With the Wind

PJF's effort was checked by two factors which combined and contributed to their final downfall in this match. Firstly their hosts' talented fly half defied the conditions and kicked 3 superb drop goals. This would have been no mean a feat on a normal day, but given the weather on Saturday this action proved cheeky and left us 9 points adrift quite quickly. The other factor concerned a couple of inconsistent refereeing decisions regarding knock ons and a player in front of the kicker - these penalised PJF and thwarted any response PJF mounted to get back at their opponents. Again the luck factor didn't visit PJF this day and as in other matches bounces, wind carries and fortunate ball rollings all fell into opponent hands.

Old Reigatians took the initiative and worked hard through their pack to gain territory and possession effectively. Rolling mauls like they were going out of fashion and turning scrums as if they were opening wine left PJF’s 8 frustrated. We did however manage to stay in touch in the first half as a flowing move through scrumhalf Coughlan's sublime break left the supporting Sia to cross for five points. Fly half Fisher slotted two penalties to take the game to 15 -11 with minutes left.

A final attack by the hosts saw them benefit with a try in the dying seconds to finish the game 22-11 to the good. So the game ran away from PJF who's performance was very spirited given the last minute changes to the side. There's nothing a bit of luck and some cleared up injuries wouldn't do to provide some momentum for PJF this year. Other League fixtures went in PJF's favour as their bottom of the table neighbours all lost. The fact that PJF are scoring points and keeping the points difference low in their games shows how determined they are to hang onto the shirt tails of the mid table teams and keep themselves away from a relegation battle.