Woking secure first league win in 2 seasons as summer of hard work pays off

With the squad having returned to pre-season training in June the first match of the season had been a long time coming. Further heightened by the fact that, unlike their opponents, Woking had not had a single warm up match prior to this one.

Mitcham kicked off and started well with Woking looking like a new team who had yet to play together competitively. That said to a man Woking remained committed and gradually worked their way into the game. Most notably through some impressive breaks from scrum half Jordan Baker. One of which lead to the first try by Baker following some good forward play by the Woking pack. Debutant Keihlan Watson converted.

Soon after it was another debutant Robbie Elder who broke from just inside the Mitcham half to beat several defenders and out sprint the cover to go over. Visibly buoyed by their first couple of tries Woking were high in confidence and playing like a team with something to prove. Further tries followed with Baker darting over followed by Watson soon after.

After some poor Woking play and indiscipline Mitcham were able to progress into the Woking half. Following some sustained pressure Mitcham grabbed a try out wide, which was converted just before half time.

Half time: Woking 24 - 7 Mitcham & Carshalton

Woking now found themselves in unfamiliar territory having secured a try scoring bonus point and a healthy lead by the start of the second half.

There was little action of note in the opening period of the second half as both teams cancelled each other out and the game was disrupted by a series of injuries to both sides that meant it did not really flow as it had in the first half. The highlight though was Woking's 5th and final try as KJ Nissen made a breakthrough the Mitcham defence from well inside his own half to within 15 meters of the opposition line. As the full back came into tackle, Nissen nonchalantly flipped a one handed under arm pass to fellow countryman Watson who went in under the posts for his second try.

Towards the end Mitcham grabbed a late consolation try and Woking's Max Knight saw yellow for a perfect, but somewhat late tackle on the Mitcham scrum half.

Woking Line-up: 1. T J Yuvidu, 2. S Kendall, 3. S Power, 4. R Benn, 5. F Hassett, 6. P Price, 7. K J Nissen, 8. M Knight, 9. J Baker (c), 10. K Watson, 11. R Henson, 12. A Colley, 13. R Elder, 14. G Nearn, 15. M McGiven
Bench: 16. A Lewska, 17. O Scuthecook, 18. J Plowright

Man of the Match: J Baker

Next up (23/09/22) Woking face Old Hamptonians at Byfleet Rec, Kick off 3pm. Please note that this fixture has been reversed from the away one scheduled on the original list.