Tries – Michael C , Brooksy, Dowdy
Conv and penalty JC

Despite our defeat I’m pleased to report the Owls team put in a strong performance on Guildford’s 1st team pitch on Saturday. A close fought first half ended 15 points all with some fantastic rugby played and two excellent tries scored. The difference in the end came down to their strength in depth with Guildford bringing on 8 good quality subs at half time and everyone in a Vandals jersey running themselves into the ground. I couldn’t have asked more from the players who played. We also had to contend with a ref who was having a very bad day at the office at our expense, at one point after I had questioned if he had not seen the very obvious knock on from the kick off and Dowdy politely pointed out that the Guildford player himself had admitted to knocking it on the ref replied “ Had you paused to consider that I might have had a very bad morning and that you comment could be very hurtful” poor old Dowdy didn’t know whether to laugh or give him a hug. Unfortunately he did a Joubert after the game and left without even giving us the opportunity to feedback over a beer or mark his card.

Match highlights
- Our back row led by Ollie Sell were heroic with Ollie once again proving that he still has much to offer on the pitch as well as being a physio off it. A well-deserved MOM Ollie you were everywhere.
- The Owls pack driving them off their ball after they made the mistake of opting for a 5 m scrum on our line.
- Nathan showing fantastic heart and pace to pull off a try saving cover tackle on their wing.
- Dowdy taking the fridge line to score a well-deserved never say die try late in the second half.
- Spud playing on in pain for as long as he could knowing that we didn’t have any cover at hooker.
- Jonny Cotton making the first of what we hope will be many Owls appearances.
- Aiden our first team coach taking me aside in the bar afterwards and complimenting me on how well we played and the quality of some of the individual performances.
- Scoring 22 points against one of the best vets sides in the league.

Our next game is scheduled for Friday 26th February. London Irish and Teddington have both dropped out and Daniela is currently looking for an alternative game for us so please keep this date in your diary. We then have Richmond away on March 12th which is the day Eng play Wales so it will probably be an early kick off.

Thank you once again to all the boys who travelled to Guildford on Saturday, special mention to Dangerous who stepped in at very short notice after we lost Wayne on Saturday morning.

Cheers

Kev