Mud Glorious Mud - As Cornish sludge home for a Bonus Point Win

The thick mizzle ensured the seagull covered ‘Reigate mud rink’ would be the perfect venue for Cornish’s ‘expansive’ rugby. Cornish lined up with a strong and beard heavy squad looking to do the league double over a side beaten earlier in the season at home and sitting bottom of the league.

Being careful to miss the goldfish on the pitches central pond; Dave Soar kicked off to a youthful Reigatians side and the rugby started to happen. The match started with several handling errors on both sides although as the game progressed it started to become increasingly difficult to tell who was who! Cornish were also being slowed down by the increasing weight of mud in their beards.

Working the ball with the forwards for a few phases Dave Soar received the ball and opened the door for a great Neutrino line to stride through the home sides defence, the opposition fullback having very little interest in attempting to stop the bulldozer no.8 from crossing the line. With the kicking tee expertly run onto the pitch; Dave Soar slotted the conversion. 0 -7 to the black and gold.

The referee was very strict at the breakdown and on the offside line and Cornish failed to listen to repeated warnings, allowing Reigate back into the game, 3 minutes after the Cornish score Reigate were awarded a kickable penalty of their own and kick it they did. 3-7 after 10 mins.

From this point Cornish started to switch on a bit more, using their powerful forwards and superior swimming skills to make ground through the middle of the Somme. The ref’s whistle kept the game fractured but Cornish were starting to get well and truly on top. The driving maul that has been so successful across all sides of the club was out in force again with rambunctious Helston man Ross Harper having a strong game and steering it from 9. Mark Osei Tutu crashed over for his and Cornish’s second try of the day. Conversion missed slightly to the left. 3 – 12

Before half time there was room for another driving maul from a line-out to the left, walked over and touched down for a Neutrino hat trick. Conversion slightly short. 3 – 17 at the half.

The second half started very much like the first, the muddy battle up front being broken by infringements and offsides and the ref’s well used whistle. 10 minutes in, extra beard was added to the pack with the replacement of 'prop' Will Drake (being allowed a run in the back row) by Ian ‘Ragnar Lodbrok’ Dowie.

As it was getting pretty cold my interest levels were starting to wane by this point but the second half continued in the same vein as the first. A couple of bursting runs from Homan resulted in a try and the forwards even let the backs score a couple with Dave Soar and Robin Heymann both crossing.

Adam Dale had the shortest league introduction with the twos, coming on for Ed Drewett he had a tooth knocked out and disappeared after a couple of minutes on the pitch. Rob Lawley was also introduced on the wing but managed to be the only player with gold still visible on his shirt by the end of play.

Big South African coach Marc Bertrand also made his way onto the pitch and tried his best to claim D.o.t.D in his 20 minute cameo with a knock-on, late tackle and by attempting a grubber kick!

Not a game for the spectators but a good win nonetheless and Cornish headed to the showers excited to see the exfoliating effect of the Reigate mud.

Tries – Neutrino x 3, Homan, Soar, Heymann

Con – Soar x 2