Tadley welcomed back frontrow stalwarts Paul Hollowhead, jonny Owen and utility back Gareth Redding. Also appearing were debutants Flanker Conor Roose & Mike Hill who was pressed into centre duty in the 13 shirt. Skipper Dave Seal wore the 18 shirt as he couldn’t fit into the 9.
Tadley started well a good kick chase from Redding saw Tadley make ground and Gareth Cripps-Jones was countering from full back with some mazy running, more direct stuff from Campbell, Summers and Seal whose portly low centre of gravity saw him barreling over players were driving Tadley forward; but the visitors were a tough nut to crack and when they got ball had some impressive runners of their own, who made lots of yardage, the No. 8 and prop particularly noticeable Hill bailing out Tadley with some good tackling.
The deadlock was broken by good interplay with the impressive Gareth’s attacking one wing, after a couple of phases good passing saw winger Paul Johnson go over from close range, Raymond converted.
Farnham Royal were on the attack when there prop suffered a nasty leg injury and with no subs were forced to play with 14, they were a credit to there club as they battled manfully for 60 mins a man short. Quickly striking with a converted penalty they really took it to Tadley but the home side kept their cool and excellent support work from No.7 Dave Randall saw him rewarded from a backs break, he showed good pace to canter in from close to half way. Raymond converted.
Tadley were really into their stride now and scored a similar try with Randall again the recipient of good team play to go over this time Raymond missed the conversion.
Tadley rung the changes at the break Hollowhead & Dyment replacing Murphy & Roose
and started the half well. The turbo charged Dyment was getting through plenty of work and Summers and Campbell continued there impressive shows, these 3 made the head way for 4th frontrower Skipper Dave seal to drive over for a converted try.
On the hour From a lineout a good take by Tucker saw the backs run a great move and a good line from Johnson saw him get his 2nd which was converted.
Tadley would have hoped to pull away now but the visitors tenacious defence continued and it wasn’t till the last few minutes when Redding capped a great game linking with Raymond before flying down the wing, as the 15 came across he looked for the inside pass back to Raymond but lagging some way behind he screamed at Redding to finish it himself which he duly did. Raymond was still out of puff for the conversion attempt which went wide.
A good win for the Strutters and it showed the strength in depth of the squad with all the new faces looking the part. The regulars also played well with strong performances from Hutchinson, Campbell, Cripps-Jones, Hollowhead, Owen and the pick of them and
Strutter of the Match Colin Summers.This Saturday Tadley travel to the much improved Grove II who only narrowly lost to Readingensians this promises to be a tough encounter.
Strutters- Cripps-Jones, Johnson, Hill, Hutchinson(Thatcher 70), Redding, Raymond, Seal©, Collins, Owen, Murphy(hollowhead 40), Tucker, Campbell, Roose(Dyment 40), Randall, Summers.
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