EASTBOURNE RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB – MATCH REPORT – 29.09.07
LONDON LEAGUE 3SE: GRAVESEND 27 EASTBOURNE 12.

Another defeat but a vastly improved performance compared with last week’s debacle. Indeed the result was in doubt until midway through the second half when Gravesend hit a purple patch of good quick handling and ball retention, even then two of the four tries scored in that spell were more than tinged with good fortune,, one was never properly grounded while the other resulted from a dropped Eastbourne pass. Given that Eastbourne had a dozen players unavailable, principally due to injuries, the underlying strength of the squad is encouraging. In fact the Eastbourne pack played well throughout, dominating the set scrums, winning three against the head, and winning good line out ball to ensure the Blue and Golds had a good share of possession. The half back pairing was strong and inventive and the centres sound but the team lacked pace and hence penetration on the wings. However, both skipper Matt Pysden and the coaches can feel satisfied with the continuing commitment and effort from their players..

The game opened with Gravesend in the ascendant, driving deep in Eastbourne territory and retaining possession, after 13 minutes  a wide attack culminated with the hosts scoring an unconverted try near the right corner flag to take a 0 – 5 lead. Eastbourne responded immediately with it’s pack gaining a strong foothold into the game and taking play into the Gravesend 22 and encamping there. Back rowers Alex Bailey and Henry Stafford drove to within a metre of the host’s try line before newcomer lock Toby Spires launched over for an equalising, and his first, try. The try was not converted, so the scores were level at 5 – 5 at half time when Alex Bailey was replaced by Joe Tobin.

Gravesend started on the offensive in the second half but Eastbourne responded with a 12 minute spell during which play hardly moved from the Gravesend 22, but failed to penetrate a resolute defence, aided by errors in the final phase. Dom Groenen and Dick Barron were replaced by Gavin Farley and Ben Gauntlett respectively. Gravesend broke out, drove up the middle effectively and spun the ball to the right, from where the wing sped through a indecisive defence to score an unconverted try: putting the hosts into a 5- 10 lead. There followed a period of sustained Gravesend pressure with quick and safe hands ensuring constant possession which, aided by the previously mentioned good fortune, resulted in three tries, the final one converted, to extend the lead to 5 – 27 lead. Undaunted Eastbourne came back into the game in the final 10 minutes and scored an excellent try when after a surge up the left touch line Spires fed full back Paul Keen whose pace carried him round a flapping defence for a try under the posts, centre Steve Clark converted to produce the final score line of  12 – 27 and an encouraging improvement in form.

MOM: Without doubt blindside flanker Damon Varney – crucial tackling and great ball carrying.
Team: Price, Oakey, Barron, Groenen, Spires, Varney, Bailey, Stafford, Pysden, Craven, Crane, Clark, Bremer, Newell, Keen, Tobin, Gauntlett and Farley.