EASTBOURNE RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB – MATCH REPORT – 24.11.07.

LONDON LEAGUE 3 SE: AYLESFORD 12 EASTBOURNE 14 .

The Blue & Golds were involved in another engrossing and fluctuating game at Aylesford Bulls to gain a well deserved win and two more league points which, without improving their league position, puts them within striking distance of the two teams immediately above them. Most encouraging was not just the win but the manner of achieving it. The confidence of recent weeks is consolidating into an expectation of success based on improved skills and determination. Eastbourne had to make several changes again but the inclusion of Dom Groenen, Danny Craven and Paul Keen, back from injury improved the balance of the side. As usual the Blue and Golds were well served by the forwards, the front row of Adam Flude, Nathan Ring and Jamie Baldwin not only ensured good ball supply but were also prominent at close quarters whilst the back row of Jon Oakey, Damon Varney and Henry Stafford harassed the opposition and took the ball forward at every opportunity. In the backs the restoration of scrum-half Mat Pysden, fly-half Danny Craven and inside centre James Coulthard to the successful mid-field of last season brought dividends by way of greater penetration and guile. Another key feature of the win was that Eastbourne kicked its conversions whilst the Bulls kicked just one of two try conversions and two penalty attempts.

The first half was evenly contested with both sides making incursions into opposition territory on frequent occasions but scoring opportunities fizzled out when the ball was lost in contact, consequently the game remained scoreless, despite good breaks by Stafford, Craven and Pysden for 29 minutes. The deadlock was broken at that time by the Bulls talented fly-half David Dalton who created a break from which the Bulls right wing scored, Dalton kicked the conversion to put the hosts 7 – 0 in the lead. The Blue and Golds responded by dwelling in the Bulls 22 for eight minutes, the hosts defended well but a cross kick looked to have provided the equalising thrust, unfortunately, left wing Mat Crane collided with his opponent in going for the catch and had to leave the field with a head wound. He was replaced by Paul Newell and the half ended with the Bulls still in the lead.

The Blue & Golds started the second half with the breeze on their backs and some calm assurance in going about the task of reducing the Bulls lead, the forwards thrusting into Bulls territory and providing Pysden, Craven, Coulthard and Clark with occasions to attack the hosts defence line. The Bulls kicked well out of their 22 but these were often fielded safely by wing Mark Ashworth. This increasing pressure bore fruit when, not for the first time, Aylesford was penalised for slowing the ball up in the ruck. Mat Pysden took a quick penalty forward and gave a good pass out to Danny Craven who, coming forward at pace, sliced through to touch down under the posts, James Coulthard converted the try to equalise the scores at 7 – 7 after 14 minutes into the second half.

The game continued to fluctuate with the Bulls counter-attacking strongly, Eastbourne conceded a penalty and lost Paul Newell sin-binned for not rolling away. Aylesford missed with the penalty kick but put Eastbourne under further pressure, moving the ball quickly and wide to the right flank to create an overlap and its wing ran in a second try, the conversion failed but the Bulls lead was restored, 12 – 7. Eastbourne used the fresh legs of Joe Tobin and Dick Barron for Toby Spires and Adam Flude respectively and countered effectively when Danny Craven and Damon Varney carried the ball well into the Bulls 22, Mark Ashworth then ran the ball in to touch down for an equalising try, James Coulthard’s great conversion from a difficult angle put the Blue & Gold ahead for the first time at 14 – 12. The Bulls responded fiercely, taking playing within metres of the Eastbourne try line and staying there for several minutes and 15 ball recycles as the referee played a long injury time. Eastbourne determination during this time was demonstrative of its determination not to be denied and the game ended successfully when the Blue & Golds were awarded a penalty and the ball was kicked to touch to end the game.

MOM: The Aylesbury officials awarded Danny Craven this honour but the whole team deserves credit for this performance.

TEAM: Flude, Ring, Baldwin, Spires, Groenen, Oakey, Varney, Stafford, Pysden (c), Craven, Crane, Coulthard, Clark, Ashworth, Keen, Barron, Tobin and Newell.

Peter Lloyd/25/11/07.