EASTBOURNE UNDER 14s TOPPLE UNBEATEN WORTHING

Eastbourne Under 14s 10 – Worthing Under 14s 8

Eastbourne RFC Under 14s played their penultimate game of this season’s Sussex A League fixtures at home against Worthing on 10 February. This was always going to be a tough match for a stuttering Eastbourne side. Worthing had convincingly overturned league-leaders Brighton in their previous match and had not been beaten in a league fixture for two seasons.

In conditions perfect for open rugby, early exchanges were relatively even but there were ominous signs of the power of the Worthing forwards as Eastbourne were pushed off the ball on their own scrum. The breakthrough came as Eastbourne’s mobile and aggressive back row forwards turned over midfield possession and quick transference saw the try scored on the left wing through the pace and determination of their talented backs.
The best of Eastbourne was quickly followed by the worst as the Worthing restart was allowed to bounce and from the ensuing maul, sparse cover on the left allowed the Worthing forwards to drive over and score. With neither of the tries converted, the teams reached half time at 5-5.
The second half continued with neither side able to dominate but as time went on it became clear that the Eastbourne pack had the greater fitness to compensate for Worthing’s size and power. With neither side threatening their opponents’ try line Worthing regained the lead with a beautifully struck drop goal twenty minutes from time.
The Eastbourne pack lost none of its purpose with the introduction of three replacements and with 5 minutes to go quickly rucked ball was fed to the right wing where scintillating pace by Jake Giles led to the winning try.
If not a feast of open rugby this was performance of tremendous character by Eastbourne. With a close-knit squad and quality performers in key positions the players put behind them the below-par performances of early season and showed that they are more than capable of competing at the top level in the County.

Anyone wishing to join this ambitious squad should speak to under 14s manager Paul Feist on 07971 579443.
Eastbourne Under 14s:

Forwards: Sam Barrett, James O’Donnell, Tom Strange, Patrick Feist, Charlie Di Lieto, Jack Schuler, Dan Bevan, Lewis Andrews, Jason Kearns, Jordan Smith, Chris Hibberd, Tom Nelmes.

Backs: Andrew Chapman, Tom Biltcliffe, Will Bettles, Josh Groocock, Callum Dunk, Jake Giles, Daniel Woods, Farhad Rahmani, Scott Backler, Harry Wills.