Senior County XV
Middlesex County XV will play St Mary's University on Friday 25th November at Staines RFC. Kick off 17.30pm. All supporters welcome.
County Shield Championship
Middlesex back in winning form
Saturday 14th May: Middlesex 42, Sussex 25
Middlesex got back to winning ways with a fine performance against Sussex, finishing the County Shield match at Staines with a comfortable scoreline of 42-25.
Middlesex were competing in the last pool game of the County Shield and honour was restored to the County XV as they beat Sussex by 42-25 in a spirited encounter at Staines RFC. Surrey had already won the Pool but both sides played a fast game with scores coming at both ends
With a squad containing more Level 5 players than their previous game against Surrey, there was an air of confidence in the camp. Chris West (Ruislip) opened the account for Middlesex with a try early in the game, followed by two more from Tom Orishaguna (Grasshoppers) and Alex Jones (Beckenham). Richard Mahony (Staines) showed a fine display of kicking with two conversions and two penalties, taking the half time score to 25-3.
The second half saw Sussex make a come back with two early converted tries and a penalty, and only Mahoney penalty to trouble the scorers, narrowing the score to 28-20. However the Middlesex forwards stepped up a gear after a testing period of defence as Scott Haden and Andy Regan (Staines) scored with Mahoney converting, which along with a penalty took the kicker's personal contribution to 17 points.
The last action saw Sussex with a consolation try in the last phase of play to finish Middlesex's rugby season with a comfortable win.
The coaching team of Tony Robinson, Corne Du Rand, Rory Greenslade, Richard Mahony and Manager Matt Gilmore were all happy with the performance.
Surrey takes the spoils
Saturday 7th May: Surrey 45, Middlesex 19
Surrey went into this game with full confidence having won against other pool contenders Sussex the previous week. From the kick off, Surrey with more than a fair share of level 5 players, took the early control and with four trys to their credit in the first 23 minutes. They looked like a team ready to challenge for the Shield Final at Twickenham.
Another try by Surrey on the 33rd minute, took the score to 33 - 0 with Middlesex looking unorganised in defence.
New Middlesex Rugby coaches Tony Robinson and Corne Durand took the interval break to amend the game plan and make some tactical substitutions, and within five minutes of the start of the second half, plan B began to pay off and a try by Neil Piggot got Middlesex off to a good start.
By the 66th minute Middlesex were looking comfortable and Graham Sparks added five more points to the board with a try which was converted by Rory Greenslade-Jones.
Surrey responded with another try, but within minutes Middlesex flyer Tom Osishaguna scored a marvellous try through some great phase play, and again Greenslade-Jones converted.
Surrey scored again in the dying minutes, though Middlesex did finish the second half on top, with a 19 - 12 score margin. But it was Surrey that took the spoils and now moves on to the semi Final.
Middlesex coaches were full of optimism with the second half performance and look forward to the game this Saturday (14th May) against Sussex, which kicks off at 3pm at Staines RFC.
Further Information
For more information about the County XV, please contact Bob Lawless
Chairman of Playing: Bob Lawless Tel: 07803 196409
Email: robjlaws@aol.com
Manager: Matt Gilmore Tel: 07843 217639 Email: matt.gilmore@dhl.com
Secretary: Brian Martin Tel: 07947 162891 Email: bfmartin@blueyonder.co.uk Medical Officer: Dr M Irani
Physiotherapists: R Marlow, A Small