Guildford Find Their Stride as Revival Continues at Reeds Weybridge

Guildford Rugby Club

Guildford Find Their Stride as Revival Continues at Reeds Weybridge

Reeds Weybridge 14 –34 Guildford

13th December 2025

Team: 1 Joe Meade, 2 Jacob Jones, 3 Paddy Wood, 4 Jamie Curtis, 5 Josh Smith, 6 Josh Jones, 7, 8 Oli Millward (C) 9 Will Craven, 10 Joe Gwyther, 11 Alex Jordan, 12 Tyler Pickford, 13 Christian King, 14 Louis Bounds, 15 Ben King

Replacements: 16 Ross Brooker, 17 Ozzy Rooken-smith, 18 Samuel Tatchell*,

TR: Tom Roaf

(*Debut)

Scorers:

Tries: B King, Jordan (2), Millward, C King

Cons: Gwyther (3)

Pens: Gwyther (1)

Absence, it turns out, can sharpen the perspective. The last report from this correspondent followed the chastening reverse against Chobham; what has unfolded since has been a markedly different story. In the two intervening weeks Guildford have rediscovered momentum, collecting seven points from a possible ten heading into Saturday’s fixture at Reeds Weybridge. Two of those points were earned on the road at Wimborne, themselves pressing for a top three finish, with the remaining five secured in a tightly contested home victory over Twickenham, opponents not faced since the London 1 days, back when the league was known as National 3.

At the halfway stage of the season, having played every side once, the comparison with the same point last year makes encouraging reading. After 11 matches Guildford now boast four wins and 22 points, an improvement on last season’s two wins and 15 points, with a healthier overall outlook despite a still negative points difference.

Whiteley Village provided near-perfect conditions: a cold, still afternoon touched by winter sunshine. The warm-up carried a noticeably sharper edge and urgency than earlier in the campaign, hinting that confidence was returning.

There were notable changes to the team sheet. Liam Driscoll was absent after sustaining an injury the previous weekend. Will Craven stepped up from full-back to scrum half, with Ben King moving to 15 and lining up alongside his brother Christian in the backline for the first time in several seasons. The day also marked a milestone for Sam Tatchell, who made his 1st XV debut.

Playing downhill in the first half, Guildford began with purpose and composure, the backs making early inroads through the middle. That cohesion told after ten minutes when Ben King crashed over close to the posts, holding a pass from Christian King. Joe Gwyther converted to give the visitors a deserved 0–7 lead. Almost straight from the restart Guildford were back in the Reeds 22, the ball worked wide to Alex Jordan, who skirted the defence to score in the left corner. The conversion drifted wide, but the lead was extended to 0–12.

This was a very different Guildford side to the one that faltered at Chobham. The backs moved the ball with fluency, the set-piece functioned efficiently and the return of Jacob Jones brought authority to the line-out. The scrum was solid, affording Craven the platform to release his runners. Five minutes after Jordan’s first try, Oli Milward was on the scoresheet, running textbook No 8 lines in support of a midfield break. Gwyther added the conversion and at 0–19 the visitors looked firmly in control, though a couple of clean breaks went unrewarded thanks to resolute home defence.

Reeds, to their credit, fought their way back into the contest. With 25 minutes gone, sustained pressure finally yielded a converted try, narrowing the gap to 7–19. The response from Guildford was immediate. Strong work at the restart set the platform for Christian King to cross, though Gwyther was unable to add the extras, making it 7–24. In the closing moments of the half, however, a defensive lapse allowed Reeds to claim a second converted try, trimming the deficit to 14–24 at the interval.

The second half was a stark contrast to the first. An early penalty from Gwyther extended the lead to 14–27, but thereafter the game became scrappy and attritional. Both sides defended stoutly, forcing errors, winning turnovers, only to surrender possession in turn. Clear opportunities were scarce.

It took until the dying seconds, as the light faded, for the contest to be decisively settled. Alex Jordan read the play astutely, intercepted a pass inside his own half and galloped uphill to score beneath the posts. The conversion was added, sealing a convincing 14–34 victory and completing consecutive wins for the second time this season.

Guildford now turn their attention to local rivals Petersfield at Broadwater in the final game of 2025 (kick-off 14:00, TBC). The fixture will be preceded by the ever-popular Christmas Lunch, for which booking is advised. As ever, support will be warmly appreciated.

#ComeOnGs

Mike Burden

Return to News Page