Purley Kings

On a blustery afternoon at Bushy Park Teddingtons main aim was to produce an all round performance that would help wipe away the memories of last weeks abject capitulation at Andover, anything else would be a bonus. Well although the result didn't go our way the performance from all 18 players was a vast improvement. It can't be denied that league rugby is all about results and good performances are but small crumbs of comfort. But the heart and soul the Antlers players showed will hopefully be the firm base on which some positive results will be built in the coming weeks.

Talking of firm bases, It was fantastic to have Timmy 'The Wall' Holdsworth back playing in the 1st XV again. After a two year break due to injury and a misjudged early retirtement Timmy will be a welcome addition to the Antlers midfield this season and his experience gathered from his 150 first XV appearences will be invaluable. There was also an exciting 1st XV debut from new joiner Ollie Holland at No 8, who had some storming line breaks and worked hard throuighout this wind influenced match.

Playing into a strong wind in the first half Antlers played some fantastic keep ball phase play and looked comfortable with ball in hand, and although we made some cracking defence busting line breaks we squandered a couiple of gilt edged chances. So although we hit half time at 17-3 down, we still felt that with conditions in our favour in the second half we could turn things around.

The Antlers solitory try of the day came from prop Ferg FARRELL early in the second half, a trademark light touch ballet dance affair, which was converterd by Wade FOSTER. With the wind at our backs we hoped this would signal the start of our second half comeback, but unfortunately although possession and territory tipped in Teddingtons favour the scoreboard did not follow suit. PJF eventually broke the siege and scored two further tries to quash any thoughts of a Teddington victory.

Purley John Fisher are a good solid outfit who may not set the leaguie alight, but they'll be there or thereabouts come the end of the long season. We wish them well and look forward to the return fixture after Christmas.