Eastbourne Head to Crowborough for an important away Win.

With a weakened Crowborough 1st XV away to Charlton Park the Mid-Sussex second string faced a confident Blue and Golds team fresh from last week’s convincing victory under floodlights over local rivals Seaford. Eastbourne were to carry on where they had left off.
A few early excursions by Crowborough into Eastbourne territory were repulsed by good solid defence. Effective support play by Eastbourne forwards and a desire to throw the ball out wide gave the away side supporters heart. Quick thinking by Rob Light and his interception of a loose Crowborough ball enabled him to send winger Luke Sage on a great run up the left wing and under the posts for the first of three tries. Aaron Stevenson converted.

A few minutes later Crowborough were awarded a penalty which they kicked with ease. Eastbourne’s scrum remained solid and their players were up very quick on their opponents at every opportunity. The backs were now combining well with the forwards in open play and looking for off-loads and support at pace. A well worked try involving Rob Light and Max Cheater gave Luke Sage his second. A few minutes later a marvellous weaving run by Aaron Stevenson led to a try under the posts which was duly converted. Joe Bettles added a fourth try and at half-time the score stood at Crowborough 3 Eastbourne 26.

Eastbourne were enjoying their freedom to roam the pitch at will and set off on adventurous runs. Outpaced but not trampled Crowborough put up a valiant fight. Another finely balanced run, change of direction and acceleration saw Martin King dance his way to the posts. Conversion by Harry Mattock showing some deft touches with the boot. Despite an injury to Luke Wilmer and a yellow card for captain Tom Redman, Eastbourne kept up the pressure and the home side were unable to penetrate the visitors’ defences. Steff Cousins did well in ripping the ball from his opponents’ grasp, Joe Bettles and his front –row compatriots put in some sterling charges upfield and Chris Chilvers got in the act with some impressive runs.

Rob Light got on the score-sheet with an unconverted try and Tom Redman accelerated away on a long solo run for a touchdown under the posts, duly converted by Harry Mattock.

After one charge down the wing which came to nothing, Luke Sage picked up a loose ball, judged his angles well and ran in for a fine try under the posts. Harry duly obliged with the conversion.

After a prolonged period of brave effort towards the end of the game Crowborough finally scored and converted a try. Final score Crowborough II’s 10- Eastbourne 52. A lot of good individual performances make it difficult to choose a Man of the Match, but this week’s choice is Aaron Stevenson for safe hands and sure defence.

The Nomads humbled Crowborough 3rd’s 85-3 and Eastbourne III’s defeated Hove IV’s 38-14. Next Friday Eastbourne Veterans face Lewes Vets under floodlights at 7.15 p.m.

Next Saturday Eastbourne 1st XV are away to Sittingbourne (currently hovering near the bottom of Kent 1) in the RFU Junior Vase.