Match Report by Serpents Captain, James Cunningham (2012, G)
The Serpents returned to Dukes Meadows at Chiswick RFC on Friday 26th April with conditions perfect for rugby.
As ever, classic Radley timekeeping is always an initial hurdle to jump but, in first for the Serpents, we had more players arrive than we started the day expecting! This really was fantastic to see and all are always welcome at our matches. The lure of pulling on a shirt alongside a good social clearly remains strong!
With a full squad and excitement high the warm up got underway with a game of touch that included moments straight out of a early-2000s French Six Nations highlight reel.
With bodies prepped and ready to go, the Serpents started strong right from the kick-off with a well-constructed break down the left-hand side. A flowing move, unfortunately, stumbled just five yards out as Marlborough got away with a very dubious hands-in-the-ruck call.
Unfortunately, our early ambition was thwarted by two breakaways from the Malones to leave the score 12-0 in very quick succession.
The squad did not lose hope, and struck back through a brace of Hugo Eyre (2012, F) tries after several strong carries with the latter converted by Charlie Davies (2012, D) to level scores at 12 apiece.
The Malones and Serpents continued to trade blows leaving the game evenly poised at 26-29 at the half-way stage.
With a strong supply of hydration and nutrients courtesy of Evian and Haribo, the game was there for the taking. Almost immediately after the break the game’s stand out moment was produced by George Fox-Edwards (2006, C).
Striding from nearly 60 metres straight from a left-hand side set piece, he waltzed through a fledgling Malones defence in a remarkable solo effort. This was not enough for George who, having scored right in the corner, opted to take the conversion finessing in straight down the middle.
This left the score at 33-29 to the Serpents who could sense victory was within grasping distance. As with Radley timekeeping, there was another hurdle to be negotiated: the notorious Radley stamina being put to the test.
The Serpents continued to play with ambition and were seeking the final blow to put the game beyond doubt. Disappointingly, two very unfortunate breakaways meant that the Serpents snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, leaving the score 33-52.
While victory may have alluded the Serpents on the pitch, it was resoundingly retained in the boat race and post-match function. The Serpents once again down in numbers both on and off the pitch.
Thank you to all those for getting stuck in – we hope to see you all again shortly
A few items left to mark the card for in 2024:
- Sportsman’s Social: 7 – 10pm, Thur 27 June, Sixes Fitzrovia, W1W 5QB. Tickets are only £25 and include food, drink and a round of cricket (tickets are limited; available on a first come, first served basis). Sign up here.
- Match: Wimbledon 7s, 27th July, sign up link to follow shortly.
- OR Day Match: Radley Serpents v Sherbourne, Radley Bigside, Saturday 14th September. Let us know you want to come by emailing radsoc@radley.org.uk.
Interested in getting involved with an OR sport? There’s plenty on offer, from cricket, to sailing, to football, and many more … visit the Clubs and Societies page for more information and email radsoc@radley.org.uk with any questions.
