The visitors kicked off the game, sending the ball high above a confident but humble Beckenham side, aware of their two defeats to this team last season and the standard of rugby they can play.

Old Reigatian applied early pressure, keeping possession for the first 5 minutes, really testing Beckenham's defence. It was clear from the start that Reigatian could move the ball effectively and eventually forced a penalty just outside the 22, opting to kick the ball into the corner to set up a short-range attack. The ball reached the back of their maul and began inching forward towards the line, but Beckenham's forwards put in great work to hold them up, preventing the try. Unfortunately, it was brought back to an earlier infringement, giving Reigatian another shot at it. The second attempt proved successful as they broke off from the rear of the maul, finding Beckenham short on the fringes and darting over for the first try of the game, converting the extras.

From the restart, Beckenham looked hungry for vengeance. A clearance kick was kept in by fullback Francesco Pennacchia on his debut, who bounced through one tackle before being brought to the ground. The dominant carry left space wide for a perfectly weighted cross-field kick, plucked out of the air by winger Jed Hamilton. He glided past two players to dot down for an immediate answer to Reigatian, but unfortunately, the conversion couldn't be scored to bring the game level.

The next 8 minutes were spent camped in Beckenham's half as their defensive line came under fire. Scrambling defence was put to the test as players tracked back to stop breakaways from making it all the way. But ultimately, another catch and drive down in the corner saw Old Reigatian scoring again.

The game continued to see-saw with exciting plays from both teams, but a strong end to the first half saw Beckenham scoring three tries. Andrew Knowles scored a try, finding a gap near the opposition posts after a strong lineout drive. Another cross-field kick was gathered by Dan Hamilton, putting Beckenham in the lead with a try under the posts and strong carrying by Rimarni Richards, sees off multiple defenders, resulting in a try under the post.

HALF TIME: Beckenham 26-14 Old Reigatian

The second half of the match brought even more excitement to the already thrilling encounter between Beckenham and Old Reigatian. The sun had broken through the initial rain, casting a golden glow on the field as the teams returned for the final 40 minutes of action.

Old Reigatian wasted no time in making their intentions clear, launching a powerful assault on Beckenham's defensive line. They quickly secured another try from a well-executed short-range lineout drive, and the conversion added the extra points, closing the gap in the score.

However, Beckenham was not to be outdone. Their determination and hunger for victory shone through as they mounted a counterattack. Fullback Francesco Pennacchia, who had been impressive throughout the game, displayed incredible ball-handling skills to create an opening. It was his burst of speed and that allowed Liam Caddy to find a gap in the opposition's defence, sending Geordie Boyce on a sprint to the try line and finished the opportunity well.

But Old Reigatian, showing their resilience, fought back with determination. They strategically positioned themselves in Beckenham's half and pressed for yet another score. This time, they opted for a quick penalty, catching the Beckenham defence off guard, scoring in the corner. The conversion was once again spot on.

With the bonus point already secured, Beckenham continued to showcase their attacking prowess. The final try of the game came after a bit of lineout confusion, which the Beckenham side skillfully recovered from. They swiftly shifted the direction of play, creating an opening that saw David Bampoe speed into the left-hand corner for his first try for the club, sealing the victory for Beckenham.

As the referee's whistle blew to signal the end of the game, the scoreboard displayed a well-deserved triumph for Beckenham. It was a spirited performance from both sides that showcased two teams that expect to do well this season.

FULL TIME: Beckenham 40-26 Old Reigatian

(Report by Olly Stapleton @6)