Horsham entertained Reeds Weybridge in round 7 of the league in what we believe is a first competitive encounter between the two teams. Reeds are a team high on confidence having secured multiple promotions over successive seasons and are carrying this into their inaugural season at level 6. Horsham made four changes to their squad as knocks needed resting and in what is a young side gave out a debut to yet another 19 year old in Josh Hedger who went on to acquit himself well with a very well taken try late in the game.

Horsham started the stronger and were immediately on the offensive deep in Reed's 22m but in the same pattern of last week, saw several try scoring opportunities squandered through slight errors in execution. However, warning shots had been fired by the forwards who were rapidly into the swing of things. A series of errors, including back chat saw field position yielded and Reeds scoring on their first visit after 6 mins, with the ball moved from side to side well, outstretching the Horsham defence.

Horsham responded well with an opportunist try by the outstanding Aaron Linfield sniping from the base of a ruck and accelerating away to score under the posts after fine approach work by Marcus Condon, converted By Oli Chennell.
Horsham took the lead on 15 mins with a push over try scored by no.8 Jack Osgood, Chennell added the extras.
Reeds hit back with another try wide out following a fortuitous kick pass from the ground which flatfooted the defence. An excellent conversion was added from the touchline. 14-14 after 25 mins.
Horsham then scored with a great team try from their own 22m, with dynamic forward carries getting over the gain line eventually seeing tight head Dan Cass bursting through to off load to Linfield to sprint in for his second try of the afternoon. Chennell again added the extras.
A second pushover try for Osgood was reward for the dominant Horsham scrum and giving Horsham what is becoming their customary try bonus point. Chennell added the conversion to give the Green Army a 28-14 lead at the break.

Horsham scored early after the restart with skipper Tom Johnson powering over his opposite centre from an attacking scrum, Chennell added the extras.
A poor kick gave Reeds' dangerous back three a glimpse of space and with the ball moved wide, a very well taken try was finished by Reed's pacy winger.
Linfield completed his hatrick with another snipe from the base of a ruck after powerful running from the impressive Horsham pack.
Horsham increased their lead just after the hour with debutant Josh Hedger somehow burrowing his way through the Reeds pack to score Horsham's 7th try of the afternoon.
Reeds again bounced back with another try from their powerful right winger who broke numerous tackles to score under the posts, converted.
Horsham's pack were setting a great platform for Horsham to attack with barnstorming running, typified by Taylor Morris in full flight. Two quick phases pushed the defence onto the back foot and the ball was moved to centre Joe Wilde whose pace saw him finish well in the corner. Final score 50-26

Head of Rugby Nick Stocker commented "It was a tricky encounter given their start to life at level 6. We were ultimately very pleased with the result, in a performance that saw our set piece dominance and ball carrying power to the fore today. There was a bit of edge between the teams today and our lads did very well to keep focused on the job in hand. Had our lineout functioned as effectively as it has in recent weeks, the scoreline could well have been higher such was the all-round control, witnessed in particular by a powerful scrum which directly contributed to 3 tries, 2 of which were pushovers.

Our backs carried a threat throughout and with Aaron's snipes around the fringes, Reeds were never able to settle, particularly off the back of the powerful carrying which gave us front foot ball for most of the game.
If there was a disappointment it was the conceding of 4 tries for the second time this season. This is a tough league, and the team will learn that granting cheap field position against strong sides will likely have consequences.

In a number of strong performances, it was difficult to award a man of the match, as such we recognised two players specifically who were excellent this afternoon. Aaron Linfield at 9 was a threat all afternoon and scored a hatrick of tries through great support play alongside his dangerous sniping. His performance was built on the back of a dominant forwards performance, with Taylor Morris proving irresistible whilst carrying making big dents all afternoon. A particular mention to debutant Josh Hedger who showed well and capped off a strong performance with a well taken try.

Next week we play Guildford at the later kick off time of 1700 to accommodate Harlequins Women who play their Allianz Cup game against DMP Sharks at 1300."