Eastbourne Women remain undefeated in their NC3 league campaign! For their second away game Eastbourne faced Haywards Heath. A fairly new team, but with high scores on the board from previous games, Eastbourne knew this would be a tough match.

FIRST HALF

Eastbourne kick off. Scrum Half, Kipper, making her debut for Eastbourne, cool and calm controls the attack. Eastbourne applied immediate pressure to Haywards Heath keeping them close to their tryline. The ball makes its way out to the wing but Haywards Heath respond with some powerful tackles and strong rucking. It’s looking as if the ball is about to be overturned but quick Kip, nabs the ball and eeks it over the tryline scoring the first try of the game only 5 minutes in!

Haywards Heath were quick to counter in the 8th minute securing their first try of the game. Another try follows for Haywards Heath from a nimble and evasive winger taking the score to 14 - 5.

Whilst down on the scoreboard, Eastbourne were strong in their defence and did not make it easy for the opposition to break through. Haywards Heath’s final try in the first half came after a long and drawn out attack at Eastbourne's defensive line.

The scoreboard now looking a wee bit scary, Eastbourne needed to turn up the heat. In possession after a line out, Scrum Half, Kipper runs the ball at the defensive line. A quick pop to the left and Tink Trott now has the ball. She’s taken into contact and the ball is shipped to Prop, Becky Sweetman. She makes the charge and keeps on charging, opposition players struggling to get her down. So close to the try line Eastbourne refuses to give up.

The ball then pops from Captain, Becks Tyler, to Second Row, Kyrstal Buckland-Bennett, both powerfully driving ever closer to the line. Out to Fly Half, Jasmine Moulding then on to Centre, Sophie Coates. Sophie makes it over the line and with the conversion the score is at 21-12. Textbook attacking play from Eastbourne and well deserved team try.

SECOND HALF

Eastbourne are down entering the second half but they’ve been here before. A colourful pep talk from their Coach and Captain and the women are ready to make their presence known.

Haywards Heath kick off and chase the ball down into Eastbourne's half. Eastbourne respond quickly and recover the ball to make back ground. A cheeky knock on from Eastbourne and they go down for a Haywards Heath scrum. The scrum engages and Eastbourne drive with a new lease of life. The ball is won by Eastbourne and pops out the back for Scrum Half Kipper to ship off to the backs.

Hard clean runs by Centre, Saz Kavagnagh with the support of Full Back, Hannah Rodden get them close to the try line. Their hard work pays off with Flanker, Jazz Dymott taking a quick pop from a ruck and running it straight to the try line to seal the deal.

52 minutes in, in Eastbourne’s 22, quick hands down the back line made it out to Winger, Josie Chambers. Like a whippet, she sprints off down the pitch going almost all the way. Scrum Half, Kipper is there to recover the ball after Haywards Heath eventually caught up with Josie. With so much ground covered Eastbourne are in prime position for another try. Another textbook play from Eastbourne, utilising the power of the pods, to drive their opposition backwards. Centre, Sophie Coates comes in to receive and squeezes in a try just before touch. The score now at 21-24.

Haywards Heath not ready to accept defeat, get another try and conversion taking back control of the scoreboard at 28-24.

With the scoreboard now so close, Number 8, Jen Watson uses her quick thinking and takes the ball from the back of the scrum and runs it out to the blindside. She’s taken into contact and the ball is retrieved by replacement Scrum Half, Emily Harwood-King who makes a quick run across the pitch, popping it off to Centre, Saz Kavagnagh. Saz makes great ground with 2 Haywards Heath players hanging on her coattails. Centre, Sophie Coates is there to receive the offload and once again makes a spectacular run, evading the oppositions defence and scoring a hattrick! With the conversion made, the score is 28 - 31, Eastbourne now leading the scoreboard.

Eastbourne, hungry for the win, keep the pressure on. It’s another scrum, this time Hayward Heath’s. Within seconds, Eastbourne’s pack steal the ball from under their noses, literally. The ball is shipped out quickly to Fly Half, Jasmine Moulding who breaks free and paces towards the try line. Skipping over 2 players she’s finally caught by a third. Flanker Jazz Dymott coming in fast from the inside, takes the offload and gets the try right under the posts. She has a knack for that. An unfortunate missed conversion for Eastbourne but the scoreboard is widening now at 28 - 36.

Haywards Heath, now on the backfoot, and with very little time left, are eager to get some more points on the board. In possession, they get the ball out to their winger who manages to break through Eastbourne’s defensive line. Replacement Full Back, Amy Bateman, makes a potentially game changing tackle right near the try line and the ball is overturned for an Eastbourne scrum. Phew!

9 minutes left on the clock and Eastbourne wanted that win secured. Prop, Becky Sweetman sees her opportunity and steals the ball right out of the hands of a Haywards Heath player. She drives forward with the support of her team behind her. Multiple downs and excellent rucking from Prop Madison Robinson and Hooker Immy Graham meant the back line was open for another attack. Centre, Sophie Coates, we all know her name by now, receives the ball and once again steam rolls through the defensive line and scores the final try of the match. Her fourth in total.

With the final score at 28 - 43, Eastbourne Women remain undefeated in their NC3 league campaign. A tough match against a tough opponent. Eastbourne Women once again showed their strength as a team with every single player, starters and subs showing us what they’re made of.

The back of the match was awarded to Amy Bateman for the magnificent game changing tackle. The forward of the match was awarded to Immy Graham for her powerful break throughs and being strong in her position. Player of the match was awarded to Sophie Coates for excellent game play and securing a haul!