Eastbourne, aiming to recover from the previous week's heavy defeat to Old Tifinians, faced Kingston at Park Avenue this weekend. In the away fixture from earlier in the season, the teams had played to an exciting draw. Star center Ben Perrott had showcased his skill with a clever grubber kick, setting up Ian Padgett for a try under the sticks. Unfortunately, this marked the end of Bens season with a knee injury

The game kicked off at 2pm and Kingston made an impressive start, opening the scoring within 20 minutes with a remarkable 100m try. The center showcased agility and power by bouncing his opposite man and then passed to the winger, who sprinted 50m to score in the corner. Both Brendan Challis and Mason Dowle made a valiant effort to tackle the winger but fell just short, highlighting the electrifying pace and skill displayed by Kingston in that crucial play.

Just over 5 minutes later, on his return from an ankle injury, Mason Dowle made a significant impact, hitting a hard line after a clever short pass from center Ronnie Doorey Palmer. The quick response showcased Dowle’s X factor ability to capitalize on opportunities and turn nothing into something within a matter of seconds.

As the game unfolded, it became a thrilling contest between the two sides, with both teams displaying determination and skill on the rugby field.

In the remainder of the first half, Eastbourne asserted dominance on the field. Dylan Viles contributed to the scoring with a well-executed try in the corner, showcasing effective teamwork. 16 tries in 16 games for winger Viles, an impressive stat for the 20 year old who broke try scoring records last season. Jeremy Montes followed suit with a powerful try, making an impact from 5 meters out, launching himself over the try line. A positive first half was highlighted by a strong performance from the team's key players. The series of well-worked tries reflected Eastbourne's effective offensive strategies during the first half.

Despite Kingston having a few opportunities early in the second half, Eastbourne maintained control and dominated possession throughout the game. Eastbourne’s very own bomb squad were introduced early in the second half to help control the game. This control allowed Eastbourne to dictate the pace and strategically manage the match, showcasing their strong gameplay and ability to maintain possession even after conceding a try.

The Eastbourne Pack faced a challenging battle in the scrums, but the in form prop, Dan Keen, stood out with his formidable presence. Six plus feet of ginger steel and sex appeal, combining strength with skill, Keen held up the scrums and displayed relentless determination throughout the entire match. His contributions alongside the rest of the front row played a crucial role in Eastbourne's performance in the scrum battles.

Vince Morse got the first try of the second half, and important try to keep the points ticking over.
Captain Jake Howe capitalized on Kingston's mistakes, scoring in the corner to boost Eastbourne's momentum. Vince then doubled his tally shortly after, contributing to a well-worked team try that showcased powerful carries and the implementation of the new system in recent training sessions under head coach Matt Pysden. The strategic execution demonstrated the team's adaptability and commitment to evolving their gameplay.

Kingston stayed in the fight however and scored a well worked try in front of the Eastbourne faithful up on the balcony. Eastbourne bounced back with numerous counter attacks, shipping the ball wide to the outside backs with pace. Pedro Sousa made a break and split the defence apart with a lightening run, followed by solid defence on the Kingston wingers.

In typical nine fashion, Brendan Challis got himself yellow carded with just 5 minutes to go. Despite a yellow card, Brendan had an excellent game in the famous blue and gold kit, making a meaningful impact throughout the match. Despite being on the back foot at times, Eastbourne showcased resilience through ruthless and dominant tackles. Flanker Ryan Shields played a pivotal role, tackling with intensity and determination, almost as if possessed by the spirit of the game.

The standout performances came from Vince Morse and Aaron Hossack. Both players demonstrated exceptional skills and contributed significantly to their team's efforts. Vince Morse's physical contributions and Aaron Hossack's noteworthy plays earned them the recognition of a shared Man of the Match.

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