EASTBOURNE RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB – MATCH REPORT 16.02.08
LONDON LEAGUE 3SE: EASTBOURNE 13 GRAVESEND 23
Eastbourne produced another competitive performance to restrict league leaders Gravesend to a 10 point winning margin but, with greater goal kicking accuracy and a tad more rub of the green, might have garnered both league points. The squad’s run of bad luck with injuries as Sam Gower was ruled out with a broken hand.
Facing the slope and wind but with a strong wind on their backs, the Blue and Golds went behind after just 2 minutes, losing possession from the Gravesend kick-off they were cut to pieces by a splendid move from the visitors as backs and forwards exchanged passes, culminating with a try near the posts, despite the counter wind the conversion just bisected the posts for a 0 – 7 lead. This proved not to be the shape of things to come because a great rucking and driving effort by the pack so restricted Gravesend that it did not enter the Eastbourne 22 for the rest of the half. This plus some good midfield defence, and some astute line kicking by fly half Danny Craven ensured that the visitors were kept on the back foot and, in consequence, conceded a string of penalties: three were in kickable positions for goal attempts, unfortunately none were converted. These misses plus some stout Gravesend defence meant that Eastbourne had no points for its considerable effort and the teams turned round with the visitors maintaining their early lead but with a man short as their hooker and captain was sin binned.
Eastbourne followed Gravesend’s example with a superb start to the second half, the pack drove forward from the kick off with two surging mauls the ball was taken on as full back Alistair Coombes came into the line and then back to the pack as flanker Joe Tobin delivered a great pass for No. 8 Matt Thompson to crash over the line for a try in the left corner, Nathan Ring, who had earlier replaced Dan Mills at hooker, just failed with the conversion attempt, 5 – 7. However, Gravesend forced its way up the pitch and as Eastbourne conceded penalties increased its lead with two well struck goals to 5 – 13. Adam Flude replaced Dick Barron at prop and Eastbourne counter attacked, it was Gravesend’s turn to infringe and Nathan Ring accurately slotted over a penalty goal to reduce the lead to 8 – 13. Having just been restored to 15 men Gravesend were again reduced to 14 when a second player was sin binned but this did not restrict their efforts, Eastbourne was penalised for a scrum infringement and the visitors were allowed a dubious quick tap penalty which exploited the home defence and enabled Gravesend to score near the left corner flag, a great conversion kick increased the margin to 8 – 20. Undismayed Eastbourne came back with a try when with Alistair Coombes again coming into the line Danny Craven had time to deliver a weighted chip to the corner for Jon Oakey, who had earlier replaced Neil Pysden on the wing, to race in to touch the ball down ; the conversion failed in the wind but the lead was cut to 13 – 20. The game was in the balance until Gravesend was able put it beyond dispute with another efficient penalty goal conversion for a final score of 13 – 23.
The Blue & Golds will be disappointed not to have got better value for the possession and territory they enjoyed but it was a great effort.
MOM: Full back Alistair Coombes, in his second game proved he is a great acquisition to the squad.
Team: Barron, Mills, Price, Groenen, Farley, Tobin, Varney, Thompson, Pysden M.(c), Craven, Crane, Bremer, Clark, Pysden N, Coombes, Flude, Ring, Oakey.
Peter Lloyd/17/02/08.
|
