EASTBOURNE RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB – MATCH REPORT – 12.03.08

LONDON LEAGUE 3SE : EASTBOURNE 18 CHICHESTER 13.

Eastbourne gained a crucial and well deserved victory but had to overcome a tenacious Chichester XV in a closely contested match. The Blue and Golds were near full strength for the first time this season, this was most obvious in the backs where good performances by Matt Pysden and James Bremer at half back were augmented by sound displays in the centre by Steve Clark and ‘Hamish’ Davidson, there was pace on the wing but unfortunately neither Paul Keen nor Adrian Platt were given much opportunity to run with the ball: the pack put in a customary good performance with the flankers Sam Gower and Tom Buttle prodigious in defence and ball carrying.

Eastbourne started the first half facing a fierce wind and had to defend initially but weathered some attacks by the huge Chi pack and established dominance in the Chi 22. Aided by good line kicking by James Bremer, Eastbourne worked the ball from a good line out take by Tom Buttle towards the Chi try line and No. 8 Matt Thompson crashed over for an unconverted try for a 5 – 0 lead after 8 minutes. Eastbourne had similar opportunities but these dissipated as the ball was spilled and the Chi defence proved sound. The visitors then responded with an excellent driving maul which provided the chance for a neatly dropped goal, 5 – 3. Chi’s no.12 was then sin binned and Eastbourne resumed its territorial advantage and hooker Nathan Ring was on target with an accurate penalty goal conversion to extend the home lead to 8 – 3. As half time approached the Chi fly-half kicked a penalty award a huge distance down his left flank and from the ensuing line out scored in a well rehearsed move with the No. 8 crashing over from the blind side for an unconverted try, 8 – 8. As the half time whistle went the Chi hooker was injured and had to be taken to hospital with a badly dislocated ankle.

After a long delay caused by this unfortunate injury, Eastbourne predictably confined Chi to its 22 having the advantage of the gusting wind. Further scores were not forthcoming as play was somewhat one-dimensional. Centre Hamish Davidson was the exception, making some good angled runs towards the Chi line and it was he who broke the deadlock when he received a beautifully flighted flip pass from James Bremer to elude several defenders to cross close to the posts; Nathan Ring’s conversion kick took the score out to 15 – 8. Chi wasn’t finished, however, and gained a line-out throw-in from a well delivered penalty touch kick: the subsequent rolling maul crossed the Eastbourne line near the corner flag for an unconverted try, 15 – 13.

Eastbourne returned to the Chi 22 and twice just failed to force the ball over the line before Chi infringed and Nathan Ring converted the penalty award to wrap the game up at 18 – 13 in favour of the Blue & Golds.

MOM: There were many good performances but skipper Matt Pysden receives the accolade for a strong all-round game and for leading by example.

TEAM: Flude, Ring, Price, Groenen, Farley, Buttle, Gower, Thompson, Pysden (c), Bremer, Keen, Clark, Davidson, Platt, Coombe, Barron, Bailey and Crane.

Lewes had a convincing win to be level with Eastbourne on both league points and match points Difference but the two Kent clubs at the bottom of the league both lost and remain there.

Eastbourne meets Bognor in the final of the Sussex Trophy at Brighton next Sunday k.o. 3pm.

Peter Lloyd/09/03/08.