On Sunday 27th of September, Eastbourne Women’s welcomed Hove Women’s II, a strong and established team, to kick off the league in a nail biting match that resulted in a 22-22 draw.

Eastbourne Women kept the spectators on their toes, coming back strong from a 22-0 deficit in the first half, to equalising in the last minute of the match.

FIRST HALF
A shaky start from Eastbourne and with Hove, presenting a strong and seasoned team, breaking through Eastbourne defences early in the 4th minute to score the first try of the game.

Hove moved quickly down their attacking line finding space and gaining ground into Eastbourne's half. A strong chase down by winger Josie Chambers narrowly missed Hove’s evasive run, giving Hove their 2nd try of the match.

Eastbourne kept up a strong defence in their half with powerful scrums and defensive lines applying pressure to Hove. In the 19th minute Hove managed to break through a strong defence giving them a 17-0 lead.

A kick over the 22 from Hove awarded them with their 4th try of the match just before half time leaving Eastbourne with a 22-0 deficit to come back from.

SECOND HALF
Eastbourne came back powerful and united in the second half, dominating play.

After multiple break throughs, Eastbourne forced Hove closer to their try line. A missed line out from Hove saw Flanker Jazz Dymott, with her quick thinking and quicker feet an opportunity to steal the ball, awarding Eastbourne with their first try of the match.

This was quickly followed by a well-orchestrated attacking play by Eastbourne and powerful drive by Centre Ellisha Spicer giving Eastbourne their second try of the match just 6 minutes later. Followed by a conversion from Fly Half Jasmine Moulding bringing the score up to 12-22

Eastbourne on a try high, continued to apply pressure refusing to give Hove any ground. Remaining dominant in their attack, the newly positioned Centre Josie Chambers scores the 3rd try for Eastbourne bringing the score up to 17-22.

With a 5 point difference, coming close to the end of the game tangible excitement could be felt throughout the pitch and spectators. After such a strong second half could Eastbourne continue their attack and equalise? Yes, yes they could.

In the 69th minute, just 1 minute until the final whistle, after a strong and relentless drive from Eastbourne’s forwards, No.8 Tink Trott burst through Hove’s defensive line to score the final try of the game, equalizing the score and sending the crowd wild!