EASTBOURNE RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB – MATCH REPORT – 26.01.08

LONDON LEAGUE 3SE: EASTBOURNE 10 OLD ELTHAMIANS 28.

This was a very disappointing game for Eastbourne. It was not just the loss but in the manner of it that disappointed a good sized crowd. A majority of possession and territory achieved by the pack and the benefit of a shed load of penalties awarded against the opposition counted for little as Eastbourne succumbed to its own tactical naivety, lack of shape in the backs and the adeptness and pace of the Old Elthamian backs when counter attacking. All four of the visitors’ converted tries arose from situations where the Blue & Golds dropped or mis-fired passes when in possession. Eastbourne started brightly enough with the pack dwelling in the O.E. 22 for the first 10 minutes but could not penetrate a sound defence, several times playing the ball wide when a direct approach by the forwards might have been the better option. Also a difficult cross wind prevented two close- in penalty goal conversion attempts. With Eastbourne attacking, the ball went loose, was pounced on by the O.E. blind side backs who ran the ball down the Eastbourne right flank, exchanging passes to score under the posts for a converted try and a 0 – 7 lead. Although Eastbourne responded through the forwards, the ball was turned over again and O.E. drove up field, a misfiled tackle was missed, resulting in another touch down near the posts: the conversion was successful and the visitors extended their lead to 0 – 14. Minutes before half time O.E. again exploited defensive frailty on Eastbourne’s right flank to run in yet another try and a further conversion increased the lead to 0 – 21. Eastbourne did try and break out with a quickly taken penalty but was frustrated by an O.E. player who not only failed to retire 10 metres but also tripped skipper Matt Pysden in possession, he was lucky to get just a yellow card for his indiscretion.

The half time interval gave Eastbourne the opportunity to make tactical replacements with Jon Oakey and Damon Varney being replaced in the back row by Sam Gower & Matt Thompson, both making a welcome return from long term injury, Gower in fact moved from centre and his place there was taken by Greg Hunt. Eastbourne started this second period with a great deal of conviction and dwelt in the O.E. 22 for 12 minutes, this pressure culminated in an unconverted try when the pack rumbled over the try line for prop Adam Flude to touch down to reduce the margin to 5 – 21. The Blue and Golds continued to press and at last a penalty award was kicked to touch just inside the O.E. 22 and a fine catch and drive from the line out carried the pack once more over the try line for lock Gavin Farley to touch down for a second unconverted try: 10 – 21. With time running out Eastbourne continued to attack but was frustrated by an effective defence and by losing turn over ball. Astute O.E. kicking from the hand to touch relieved pressure also, the visitors then lost a second player to the sin bin for abuse but it was game over when a misplaced midfield pass on the O.E. 22 was intercepted and the visitors backs ran 80 metres up filed to score under the posts, the conversion brought the final score to 10 – 28.

With Lewes and Tonbridge losing, Eastbourne retains 9th.place, but Old Midwhitgiftians are now in close pursuit, having beaten Tonbridge. Eastbourne need to retain better shape and be more streetwise to stay out of the relegation zone.

MOM: Both props Adam Flude and Andy Price played well, but Adam just shaded it.

Team: Flude, Ring, Price, Groenen, Farley, Oakey, Varney, Tobin, Pysden M. (C), Bremer, Ashworth, Clark, Gower, Pysden N., Keen, Thompson, Hunt, Barron.

PBL/27/01/08.