This was a full-blooded encounter to kick off 2025. Teddington were coming into it, off the back of two impressive pre-Christmas victories and Belsize were nicely placed in the top 3, so there was everything to play for. The Regents Park pitch was given the go ahead after the overnight frost, but illness had taken out 3 of the Antlers squad, so there were late call ups for David BRADFORD, Sam AMES REDDIN and Adam PRICE with skipper Jack VALENTINE making his 50th appearance for the 1st XV. The reshuffling didn’t seem to effect Teddington as they made an encouraging start, threatening the visitors line from the kick off. However, it was Belsize Parks power up front which resulted in the first try. A series of close-range drives, was followed by a scrum, which inevitably led to the hosts crashing over, halfway through the first half. Both sides had opportunities to add to the scoreline in the first period, but the impressive defences on show were holding firm and the teams turned around at half time with the score at 7-0. The Antlers got on the scoreboard after the break, opting for a shot at goal, with PRICE taking the 3 points, but Belsize soon re-established their cushion when they kicked their own penalty 10 minutes later. Belsize Park then delivered what would prove to be the decisive blow. With the Antlers struggling to exit from their 22, the hosts used their lineout to set up an impressive maul before hammering their way over the try line to open a 14-point gap. The Antlers reduced the deficit with a Gabe ROBERTS penalty, but despite Belsize being down to 14 men in the closing 10 minutes and Teddington piling on the late pressure, they could just not penetrate the Belsize Park defensive wall. This was a spirited performance from Teddington, and they displayed a lot of character throughout, but ultimately had nothing to show for their efforts. Belsize Park are a very solid side and deserved their victory. For Antlers, its onto next week and a home game against Old Priorians, another team who got the better of us in the first half of the season. Teddington will be looking to even things up at Bushy Park.
Final Score Belsize Park RFC 17 Teddington RFC 6. Man of the Match Dan ROBERTSHAW