13th September, 2025
THE EAGLES 52 KINGSTON 24
Rain on Friday and Saturday morning made the pitch perfect for rugby. The game started with the sun shining but the rains came during the second half. I am told that I missed a spectacular rainbow!
Kingston kicked off – Eagles kicked down the line – the ball got to Bridge – scored under the posts. One minute gone (7-0). Kingston bounced back and almost immediately their forwards drove over for the try (7-5). Kingston were controlling the possession but then a clearance kick was fielded by Bridge who said ‘thank you very much’ and ran through the Kingston team to score in the corner (2 touches, 2 tries). In a strong wind conversion by Sam Manning (14-6). Kingston continued to dominate the ball and after 25 minutes their forwards broke away from a line out to score (14-10). On the half hour a straightforward, classic three quarter move saw Durbridge score in the corner (19-10). The Eagles then received a yellow card and with half time approaching the experts on the touchline (well, two of them) thought the second half could be difficult. There was to be just over 10 minutes of injury time and crucially it was the Eagles who got a lucky bounce and half time came (26-10) – a bonus try point earned.
The second half was unusual in that the Eagles controlled the game for the first part and Kingston were on top in the second part. Wearing my accountants hat we doubled our score, Kingston doubled their number of tries. Within fifteen minutes the Eagles scored three further tries. The first came from an error by a Kingston centre whose chip ahead landed up in Bridge’s hands – he obliged under the posts (33-10) and then a loose ball was collected by Nickson who scored (38-10) and then a good three quarter movement saw a man called Bridge come into the line, sell a dummy, and score under the posts (45-10).
To their credit Kingston fought back and spent time in the Eagles 22 (at the school end). Their efforts resulted in two converted tries before the Eagles rounded the game off with a final score 52-24.
I feel a little disappointed in the Eagles performance. Kingston suffered several injuries and were often unlucky with the bounce of the ball and to cap it all it was A BRIDGE TOO FAR! I also regret having to highlight the discipline issue again. This is becoming a problem. There was nothing wrong with today’s ref (to my knowledge). We had 10 penalties against us in the first half (3 or 4 too many) and I expect a similar number in the second half – a yellow card – ref talking to players and an instance of the ref giving us a penalty then immediately changing his decision to a kick to Kingston.
I expect the coaching staff and team will appreciate the two week break in the league programme. We reassemble in Weybridge on 4th October. You will have noticed that the OG’s beat Kingston 40-19 the week before us. We need everyone fit and raring to go for this one.
Iain
Watch back the action on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/xZMfr3W_bFg
