FRUSTRATING AFTERNOON AS WOKING SUFFER FIRST DEFEAT OF THE SEASON

Both sides were able to name a full squad of twenty although Woking were missing a couple of key players due to injuries picked up in their previous victory over Egham. However, led by skipper Jacob Woods they were able to field a strong line up, demonstrating the progress of the club in recent seasons.

Woking started brightly and showed good intention early on. Some minor handling errors meant Staines had their share of possession but massive hits from Captain Jacob Woods and winger Gareth Nearn kept them at bay.  Against the run of play after 6 minutes, Staines made a dangerous break in midfield which took them into the Woking 22m.  A few pick and drives from the base of the ruck took Staines to the line and the opening score, a touchline conversion making it 7-0.

The game continued with Woking starting to show greater intent and gaining more possession and territory.  They also managed to gain several penalties through frequent Staines infringements.  The boot of Mike Aitchison was used to pin Staines into the corner and the large Woking pack was used to maul from the lineout.  Unfortunately, whatever questions Woking asked in attack, Staines answered with their defence.  They also continued to look dangerous with breaks from deep with their backline, only fine cover defence preventing a further score.  Woking’s pressure continued, however disaster struck when Staines won a turnover in their 22 and took advantage of a blindside overlap.  Their full back managed to weave through the back 3 and dot down under the posts, an easy conversion taking to 14 – 0 with 4 minutes to half time.  Woking could have halved the deficit almost immediately but could not take advantage of a three on two opportunity deep in the Staines half.

Half time: Staines 14 - 0 Woking 

The second half started in the worst possible fashion for Woking with Staines piling on early pressure.  Following a scrum, the Staines centre broke through the backline and support was there to finish the move and score, another conversion took the score to 21-0. Despite this, Woking heads never dropped and put the hosts under sustained pressure, winning multiple penalties.

Woking’s efforts were finally rewarded after Spencer Hudson was brought down short from a tap penalty.  Quickly recycled ball resulted in scrum half Matt Ralph feeding Mike Aitchison and in turn passing to winger Gareth Nearn who dotted down in the corner making it 21-5.  Woking instantly won the ball back from the kick off with player coach Mark Rose smashing into the opposition forward who required several minutes of treatment. From the scrum, number 8 John Dickie made a break but was brought back due to a Staines infringement.  Woking elected to kick to touch which was a fatal mistake with the Staines fullback collecting and going on a mazy run before going clear to score again under the posts, another easy conversion took the score to 28-5.

Woking tried to mix things up with several substitutions, the fresh legs bringing new impetus to the side.  Woking continued to win multiple penalties and eventually the referee lost patience and showed a yellow card to a Staines player.  It was a Staines penalty that resulted in the next points with a shot at goal being taken from between the 22 and 10m taking the score to 31-5.  Woking continued to work downfield and win penalty after penalty.  The new strategy of scrum half Matt Ralph taking a tap ate up territory with Keiran Williamson being stopped short and John Dickie picking from the base of a ruck to crash over.  Woking continued to attack and earn multiple penalties, the referee again showing a yellow to a Staines player.  However, the remaining minutes played out as a stalemate before the referee called time on the afternoon's proceedings.

Full time: Staines 31 - 12 Woking

Captain Jacob Woods commented: "We knew we had to be on it today. It was a hard-fought battle between two evenly matched sides, but individual errors cost us and some individual brilliance on their side prevailed. I feel the result does not reflect the game, but we will bounce back at training ready for our trip to Wandsworthians on Saturday."