Match Report - Colts vs Marlow, Sunday 14 January 2024

GRFC Colts vs Marlow Colts

Sunday 14th January 2024

The end of 2023 heralded a start of a winning street for the GRFC Colts with victories over Cobham and Old Reigatians in the run up to Christmas.  The New Year started with a well-attended training session with large numbers so we are one of a small number of Surrey clubs in the fortunate position of being able to put out two teams in the Quins Cup!

The first fixture of 2024 was a friendly against Marlow.   Guildford planned to use this to see how the players coming back from private school duties performed and to see how certain combinations would work.  After a quiet start as the players established how they were going to play, they settled into the game.  The return of Horatio Murrin and Hayden Amiss, combining with Freddie Rowe created an impressive second row / eight combination and saw the pack dominating in the set piece scrum.  The lineouts were also going well.

After some good open play, Marlow took the first points managing to steal the ball in the confusion around the try line.  Conversion kicked. 0-7.

Guildford did not hang around and got straight back in the game, camping themselves in Marlow’s half of the pitch.  A great clearance kick by Marlow took them to the Guildford try line but Finn Jordan showed off his skills by first out running and then kicking the ball down the pitch again.

Guildford spent some time in their own 22, showing that they can defend as well as attack.  Finn once again got Guildford up the pitch and into the Marlow 22.  Some determined forward work resulting in Freddie Rowe going over for a try, taking a few of the Marlow forwards with him!  Conversion missed.  5-7.

Marlow were back on the attack from the kick off, but a missed kick penalty allowed Guildford to get hold of the ball and Zac Tinkler showed his skills with an amazing run to their 22.  Once again, the pack took over with Dominic Fraser coming off the back of a driving Maul for Guildford’s second try making the score 12-7 at half time.

Marlow were first to score in the second half from a kick that their backs chased down to level the score at 12-12.  Guildford should have scored next with a lovely offload from Freddie Rowe to Horatio Murrin who ran down the wing to the try line only for the ref to blow his whistle due to an altercation near the halfway line, started by a Marlow player!  Guildford’s put in at the scrum.  After some congested play in the Marlow 22, Marlow managed to secure the ball, but a bad clearance kick led to a Guildford try with Theo Oxley going over to score.  The conversion was good to take the score to 19-7.

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Changes made and the subs bench emptied.   Guildford were back on the attack and after a prolonged period in the Marlow 22, Noah Oppenburg eventually went over on the wing. Conversion scored 26-12.  It was now Marlow’s time to attack.  After a considerable time in our 22 they eventually went over for the try to take the score to 26-17, then scored a converted try but Guildford held on for a 26-24 win.

Chris Rowe

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