Eastbourne 36 Crowborough 0

Eastbourne RFC Under 14s played the fourth of their Sussex A League fixtures away to Crowborough on 13 January. Given Eastbourne’s slow start to the league season a win was essential to keep alive their aim of retaining Sussex A division status for another year.
With heavy conditions underfoot this was an encounter likely to be dominated by the forward battle and early exchanges were relatively even. Eastbourne’s breakthrough came from a familiar source as Will Bettles powered through the defence to score, adding a second from a tapped penalty only a few minutes later.

The rest of the match developed a pattern with Eastbourne’s forwards scrapping for possession and repeatedly driving towards the Crowborough try line. The remaining tries came through the forwards’ persistence though frequently the more profitable option of Eastbourne’s talented backs was ignored.

With a final tally of six tries, three converted, Eastbourne ran out 36-0 winners, earning a bonus point in the process.

This was a decent performance by an unfamiliar looking Eastbourne side with no fewer than five players making their league debuts. There will be sterner tests to come for this squad with league fixtures in the offing against Hove and Worthing but there is now encouraging strength in depth in this team which will serve them well for the remainder of the season.
Anyone wishing to join this improving squad should speak to under 14s manager Paul Feist on 07971 579443.

Eastbourne Under 14s:
Forwards: Tom Strange, James O’Donnell, Jason Kearns, Patrick Feist, Sam Barrett, Chris Hibberd, Dan Bevan, Lewis Andrews, Jack Schuler, Philip Poundsbery.
Backs: Andrew Chapman, Callum Dunk, Josh Groocock, Will Bettles, Jake Giles, Farhad Rahmani, Scott Backler, Harry Wills, Tom Biltcliffe, Ben Saunders, Daniel Woods, Tom Nelmes.