Eastbourne RFC u13’s vs Hastings RFC (18/11/2007) Friendly.

Eastbourne 27 Hastings 0

Eastbourne u13’s playing in front of their biggest ever crowd produced their best performance of the season to date beating local rivals Hastings 27 – 0. Uphill the Eastbourne forwards dominated with Kane Angel producing a fine individual performance. Eastbourne’s play was rewarded when following a clearance kick from Hastings 22, full-back Joseph Tickle made an inch perfect kick to touch. From the ensuing 5 metre line-out and resulting scrummage Eastbourne won the ball against the head, scrum-half Louis Hall delayed his pass to allow Tickle running strongly from deep to open Eastbourne’s scoring. Hastings countered and were unlucky not to come away with a score. From inside Eastbourne’s twenty –two, instead of going low the Hastings No 8 was held up and Angel ripped the ball away, allowing Eastbourne to clear their lines. Play continued with the forwards continuing to dominate the set piece, both Harvey Padget and Joshua Rafferty McWall running strongly into the opposition and from strong rucking the ball was recycled consistently on Eastbourne’s side. Two further tries followed from scrum-half Louis Hall, the first from a weaving run, beating several defenders and then a blind-side snipe taking the score to 15 – nil.

It was time to move the ball wide, with the Eastbourne backs passing and running with confidence, making constant attacks into the opposition’s territory. Hastings countered but were stopped on the 10 metre by Alexander Voss Hillier who ripped the ball, passed to Tickle who ran in the ball from 60 metres out. Voss Hillier converted to make the half time score 22 – nil.

Eastbourne made nine changes at half time and were warned that Hastings never give up, it was to be the case. The second half proving to be much closer with Eastbourne adding only one more try. From set piece Peter Osborn playing at fly-half made a well weighted pass to inside centre Joseph Skeet who broke two tackles to score under the posts. Eastbourne finishing the morning 27 – nil winners. Eastbourne u13’s must continue to play like this no matter who the opposition are, all players both old and new have shown they are capable and if they continue to play with the conviction and belief they showed on Sunday the rewards will follow. MOM Could have been several players, but it just goes to Joseph Tickle for his performance at full back, even though he doesn’t like playing there!

Eastbourne: Kane Angel, Sean Taylor, Luke Kerrell, Austin Hogben, Dominic O’Malley (captain), Sam Munton, Michael Turner, Greg May-Clingo, Harvey Padget, Peter Newman, Lewis Milligan, Joshua Rafferty Mc Wall, Ricky Van Bentham, Louis Hall, Matthew Banks, Alexander Voss Hillier, Connor Lawlor, Daniel Stewart, Joe Skeet, Peter Osborn, Shane McLoughlin, Joseph Tickle.