Marlins put up a spirited fight

This local derby across the M25, pitting suburbia against the urban mix, offered
Many highlights. PJFRFC Marlins fielding a young side, were up against an Old Reigatians Academy side squad of 24. PJFRFC front five with Perry Clark, Patrick O'Neil and Aden Pearn provided a good scrummage, from which to unleash the youth and pace out wide in Kareem McKenzie and Josh Stone. PJFRFC utilized this strength well in the first 20 minutes of the game. A well worked back line move helped Kareem return to his try scoring ways, PJFRFC led 5-0. Old Reigatians responded through good set piece play from line out 's, where PJFRFC struggled to compete, setting up a rolling maul and setting their backs in play, aided by poor tussling, and not tackling, by PJFRFC to score under the post, and take the lead 7-5. Marlins responded with much spirit and intensity, and utilized pace out wide coupled with intelligent kicking by scrum half Will Walters and fly half Norm Collier to put the visitors under pressure, and were rewarded with a converted try by Norm Collier, to lead 12-5. Reigatians were penalized for back chatting and had their play making centre sin-binned. This was a golden opportunity to be take advantage of, though PJFRFC were unable to capitalize, largely due to Old Reigatians forwards keeping ball in hand from set pieces, and PJFRFC struggling to compete at the rucks and mauls. The pressure paid off, and Old Reigatians scored again to equalize 12-12. PJFRC were determined to end the half on a high, and some excellent defensive tackling by full back Rob Palmer foiled a counter attack by Old Reigatians. PJFRFC's centre pairing of Jamie Velderman and Kareem McKenzie, hold much promise, like the kiwi duo Little and Bunce, Reem followed up excellent tackling by pouncing on spilt ball, then going on to fend off 4 defenders, and score under the post, PJFRFC led 19-12 at half time.

It turned out to be a game of two halves, as Old Reigatians brought on several young Academy players on as substitutes through the next half. PJFRFC Marlins did well to compete against a strong pack at the break downs, with Ben Tompkins, Patrick O'Neil and Dan Wright leading from the front through some determined ball carries. Old Reigatians again worked their way up the pitch through well drilled set piece play from line out's, and aided by a couple of penalties for poor discipline by PJFRFC, went onto score and equalize 19-19. This was closely followed by a lapse of concentration in midfield, leading to another converted try to Old Reigatians, 26-19. PJFRFC back row stepped up to the occasion, aided by a very able Rob Palmer who turned over ball in tackle to unleash Ben Tompkins, who used his "Ronaldinho" skills to get past the last line of defense and score under the post, to level the score 26-26. Again Old Reigatians utilized their forwards well to set up sequential rucks, and spin the ball out to their backs, to score under the post, and lead 33-26. PJFRFC did well to keep the score line at bay over the next 10 minutes, despite injuries to Jamie Velderman and Joe Sheridan, through some determined defensive tackling, and were rewarded through another try by Ben Tompkins to trail 33-31. With 10 minutes to go the game seemed evenly poised, though Old Reigatians brought on further substitutions, and this had a significant impact on the game, facilitating 3 further scores against a tired PJFRFC Marlins, who faught valiantly till the end, to close the game 50-33.

The Marlins will take heart from their determined performance, both in defence and in their consistent ability to score over four tries in each game.