WOKING END CAMPAIGN WITH AWAY WIN
Raynes Park RFC 26 vs Woking RFC 38
Woking concluded their 2024/25 Surrey Counties Five with a bonus point away win against Raynes Park. In bright sunshine and swirling winds Woking kicked off and struggled to build any momentum against a large and physical Raynes Park pack. Playing his final game as skipper, Jacob Woods led from the front with some crunching hits along with Kieran Williamson and Carl Jacobz.
Eventually Woking did work their way up the pitch and put a few phases together that enabled winger Ross Henson to score in the corner. Full back Adam Quinn converted.
Raynes Park indiscipline then cost them when they were reduced to 14 men for a deliberate trip on Woods when he burst clean through and looked certain to score. Having broken the deadlock Woking found some of the form that had seen them secure promotion scoring 3 more tries in a 15-minute burst.
First, the Woking backs worked the ball wide in their own half to set winger Keihlan Watson free to score from distance. Quinn added the extras. Centre Charlie Goddard then powered through and scrum half Chris Wallis bagged Woking a bonus point with a try of his own.
Leading 26 - 0 Woking allowed the hosts back into the game when they were reduced to 14 men scoring two quick converted tries to go in 26 –14 down at the break.
Half-time: Raynes Park 14 - 26 Woking
Buoyed by their end to the first half Raynes Park came out and dominated the early exchanges and reduced the gap with a third unanswered converted try to make it 26 - 21. Woking dug in and weathered the pressure as Raynes Park looked to take the lead.
Once again it was the brilliance of the Woking back line as quick hands got Watson away yet again from deep to draw the last defender and feed Jacobz for an easy try under the posts to give the visitors some breathing space.
Raynes Park came back yet again when Woking were reduced to 14 a second time when Woods saw yellow for a series of infringements at the breakdown. However, as Woking ran down the clock in their opponents 22m they were able to work an opportunity for replacement winger Matt Neathy to score out wide and bag his first try for the club.
Full-time: Raynes Park 26 - 38 Woking
Post match skipper Jacob Woods said, ‘It’s always tough against Raynes Park. We didn’t start well and struggled. However, we stuck at it and played well in patches. It was great to give a lot of the squad some game time and the changes probably didn't help our continuity. It’s great to finish off with promotion. It’s a credit to everyone at the club and they should be proud of what we have achieved. This has been 4 years of hard work so we will enjoy the celebrations tonight!’.