Mitcham 14 Raynes Park 21

Mitcham suffered another loss this weekend effectively ending their chances of promotion back to Surrey Two, writes Damian Brady.

In a hard-fought Surrey Three league match between Mitcham and Raynes Park the lead changed five times. This was a tense even match played in a good spirit by two teams keen to play good physical rugby in good conditions.

Mark Whittall opened the scoring with his 11th try of the season, following up intense opening match pressure from Mitcham to capitalise on a Raynes Park mistake close to their own line.

Raynes Park bounced back with a well taken flowing move to score a converted try. Mitcham nearly scored a try through Jake Proctor, but he was bundled into touch close to the Raynes Park line.

At the half time break it was 8-7 to Mitcham. In the second half Mitcham pulled away to 11-7 and then another converted Raynes Park try saw the lead switch back to 14-11.

Mitcham drew level at 14 all through a well taken long range (42 mtr) penalty kick to Liam Dewsbury. With four minutes remaining on the clock and the game still tied at 14 all, Raynes Park, benefiting from a badly out of position referee that missed a blatant forward pass on their 22, then completed a sweeping counter attack to score a converted try to win the match 21-14.

All Mitcham players played well, Scott Robinson and Sam Bardwell played great tight forward games. Mark Whittall was everywhere again and Liam Dewsbury kept Mitcham in touch to the very end, but but man of the match this week was Kieran Dewsbury.

With limited starts this year he coolly slotted in to scrum half in a big match and had a sublime game. Taking all the right options, tackling beyond his body weight and missing nothing, clearing the base of the rucks & scrums fast and effectively and kicking brilliantly.