On yet another surprisingly sunny Saturday in October Woking RFC , sponsored by Woking's premier nightspot BedBar, played host to Merton who last season played in Surrey 3. Woking took the field in search of a win following the disappointment of the heavy defeat inflicted by the Met Police. After fumbling the ball backwards from the kick off Woking were immediately under pressure for the opening 10 minutes with Merton's fast press defence and pack making first time tackles. Woking's scrums held well and won the ball against the head relieving some pressure. Woking started some fluent rugby upfront taking on the Merton pack and putting them on the back foot. With some good linking up and offloading in the tackle it was Woking's captain Phil Robertson who broke the deadlock taking the ball from the base of the ruck and ploughing over the line. The try was converted by Dan Edwards. Woking started controlling the pace of the game with the tactics Head Coach and player Martin Crossan insisted was to be used in the pre-match preparations. And through sustained pressure it was that man Martin Crossan breaking the gain line and scoring Woking's 2nd try which again was converted by Dan Edwards. Merton were not giving up easily , and came back with some points of their own with a converted try to take the game to 14-7 to the hosts. The pace of the game at this point was fast and intense causing all sorts of errors from both teams. It was Woking however that would score the next points with Dan Edwards converting his own try! With the score at 21-7 Merton again came back hard, with some missed tackles from Woking, this allowed Merton to get over the try line resulting in a half time score of 21-14.
Strangely in the second half the referee was very reluctant to give any decisions Woking's way and frustration led to a serious of errors from Woking that Merton were unable to capitalise on. Woking kept asking questions of the Merton defensive line which was solid until the last quarter... The fitness of the Woking squad meant that late in the game the gaps were appearing, but they struggled to take advantage there was a chance to score eventually Joe Bennett would cross the line with an individual effort powering over the line dragging a couple of tired Merton players with him. Shortly after some good link-up play between Woking's forwards and backs Colin "Superman" Pearce decided to pick the ball from the base of a ruck on Merton's try line and dive over the top but was stopped mid flight... Intuitive play by Adam Smith and Phil Robertson meant Woking were to score the final points of the game when passing the ball out to winger Chris Wallis to score a well deserved try, Dan Edwards uncannily missed the conversion . The final score with a bonus point win was Woking RFC 33-14 Merton RFC.
Disappointingly the Merton squad did not return to Woking's Camphill Club where food and beer was laid on, however the awards for man-of-the-match and Village idiot proceeded; The man of the match for Woking was Steve Rhodes with his first game in a no 7 jersey, causing problems for Merton's 10, with big hits and pace around the park. Special mentions for Dan Edwards with a fine game in all aspects and Chris Wallis for a solid game on the wing. The Village idiot award was handed to Superman (Colin Pearce) for his flying efforts on the Merton try line... Jug of beer time for the team on Colin's expense!
Woking 2nd XV were also winners with an excellent victory away from home to Raynes Park which was always going to be a tough encounter for the visitors. Well Done Woking RFC!! Woking encourage and welcome all levels and age of players down to train/play rugby for the club. Training is held at Byfleet Recreation Ground on Tuesday's and Thursdays from 7pm.
