Eastbourne continued their rich run of form in Round 2 of the Counties 1 Sussex/Surrey campaign. Josh Buckwell, standing in as Captain, led the team out against the hotly favoured Old Ruts, who Eastbourne had lost to twice last season. However, this time things were different!

Playing into a headwind, it was very much a possession game for the home side - until Spike Gleave, playing out of position in the centre alongside his chum, Dylan Viles, (who was to score first), adapted to cover for the injured Ronnie Dorry Palmer and Captain, Jake Howe. Both stepped up to the challenge superbly.

Aaron Hossack took over goal-kicking duties and hit 100% off the tee for the day in Howe’s absence, leading to chants of “Jake Who” from the buoyant home fans - all in good spirit of course! Aaron’s conversion and penalty gave Eastbourne a 10–0 lead. They looked the more dominant side in the first half, but unfortunately, a soft penalty and try allowed the visitors to draw level by half time.

With the wind and sun now at their backs, Eastbourne really put their foot to the floor and attacked Old Ruts. A superb read of a pass by the horse-like Jack Curtis, allowed him to speed away for half a pitch length to score under the posts.

Old Ruts responded with a penalty to keep the game close, before youngster, Finn Warner, coming in for the injured Justin Funnel, ran a lovely line to finish off a well-worked backs’ set-piece try.

Eastbourne were then denied a try due to a poorly timed tackle and a bad head collision on Dylan Viles, which resulted in a red card for Old Ruts. They were also denied a penalty try, which clearly should have been awarded. However, Mason Dowle crossed for Eastbourne with another well-worked try, redeeming himself for his earlier “brain fart” that had led to Old Ruts’ first half try.

Old Ruts put the home side under pressure following a penalty from Hossack, eventually scoring a well-deserved try.

The game finished in style with a break from the Eastbourne 22-metre line. Ollie “The Manatee” Horley trundled up the pitch, ignoring the easy pass to Gleave, to make a more difficult, but impressive pass to Finn Warner, who raced away under the posts and secured the try bonus point.

It was great to see the squad depth coming into play, along with the returning scrum-half Leon “Spider Monkey” Wood.

Man of the Match could have gone to several players - from Owen Davis at number 8 to Gleave at 13 - but was eventually awarded to Aaron “The Racing Snake” Hossack for a controlled game and excellent kicking.

Eastbourne will travel to Crowborough next week for a National Cup and Sussex Cup doubleheader, with kick-off at 2pm.

Nomads (2nd Team)
The Nomads finished their pre-season in style by beating Horsham Threes away, 40–19. They now turn their attention to Jersey Royals in the cup, with the match scheduled for Sunday, 28th September at Park Avenue.