And so to the big one. These two teams have been setting the pace at the top of Surrey/Sussex 1 for the first half of the season and they both occupied the top two spots going into this much anticipated clash. It was the 2nd September 2022, when these two sides last met: a pre-season friendly before the Antlers all conquering campaign of 22/23. The significance of that date is that it was the last time Teddington 1st XV lost a match, as the Vandals outmuscled the Antlers 40-19 on a late summers evening on the AGP at Grasshoppers RFC. Since then, Teddington have been on an incredible run of form winning 41 matches on the trot. Would the Vandals be able to apply some symmetry and bring that winning streak to an end. That was the question on everyone’s lips as the crowd gathered at Brownacres for this one.

Despite a week of wet weather, the 1st XV pitch was in great condition for kick off. The Antlers started strongly, establishing early territory in the Weybridge 22, and they were soon barreling over the hosts line courtesy of a George BRADFORD try. The conversion was missed before Weybridge responded with an almighty penalty kick against the elements to bring it back to 5-3. There clearly wasn’t much between the two sides, but Teddington seemed to be doing their good things slightly better than Weybridge were, and they always looked dangerous when opportunities arose. Gabe ROBERTS is pretty adept at taking opportunities, and the young winger showed his electric acceleration to add the second try which was converted by Bob BEEVERS. Teddington turned around 12-3 to the good but with the elements and slope against them in the 2nd half it wasn’t going to be easy. Despite the new challenges, Alfie RANSOM took advantage of some hesitation at the back of a Vandals scrum to make it 17-3 and open some daylight between the two sides. Vandals turned the screw and after applying some serious pressure to the Antlers line they crossed to bring the score back to 17-10. Again, the league leaders hit back, with Huw MORGAN charging over to reopen the gap. Harry SMITH then took advantage of a dropped high ball as he collected and scorched home to cement the victory. Weybridge continued to take the fight to the Antlers and were rewarded with a late consolation try, but it was Teddington’s day, the first half of the league campaign completed, with 11 wins out of 11, with 11 try bonus points. Incredible stuff. Final Score Weybridge Vandals RFC 15 Teddington RFC 29. Man of the Match Jack VALENTINE