Weybridge edge close encounter

SHIPLAKE COLLEGE lost out at home to Surrey side St George’s Weybridge in a new fixture between the two sides.

The visitors got the first points on the board as they slotted home an early penalty to take a 3-0 lead.

Alex Collis, Shiplake’s captain and number eight, set the tone, running a tight line in support of fly-half Toby Howe, who off-loaded to Collis for the opening try. Howe stepped up for the conversion and a 7-3 lead before St George’s kicked another penalty to narrow the lead to a solitary point.

Entering the second half it was proving to be a battle of the two captains playing at number eight. The St George’s captain was alert to the opportunity and followed up from a quickly taken 10-metre penalty to give the visitors a 14-7 lead after the conversion.

Ruari Van Raalte brought Shiplake back into the game with a charge from five metres out, the referee judging that the merest slither of the ball had touched the try line. Another conversion from Howe made it 14-14.

With 10 minutes to go another penalty gave St George’s a 17-14 lead. They then had to survive a fierce onslaught from a Shiplake team intent on victory. Twice with 10 metre penalties they opted to run rather than kick. Jake Long celebrated a try only to find it disallowed for a forward pass.