Eastbourne struggle to continue their Winning form.

Following the lacklustre performance of the week before, this was a revitalised team who never gave up and who, for much of the match, had Hove on the back foot. In the same fixture last season, Hove won by a margin of 35 points; this time the result could not have been closer and to their credit, both sides gave 100% effort in shocking conditions on Hove Park. A quagmire of a pitch made handling difficult and stoppages were frequent. But the Blue & Golds were tenacious to the bitter end and the result was always in doubt.

Hove started the brighter side and their dangerous looking No. 12 made several early incursions into the Eastbourne half. However the tackling was immense throughout and it was only when a relieving penalty failed to find touch that that the Hove eight were able to establish a powerful maul down the touchline which led to them scoring out wide.

On 30 minutes the referee spotted some foul play from the home side and sent a player to the sin bin; this gave Eastbourne the opportunity to press forward and although a kickable penalty went astray, a score looked likely just before half time. However the home defence ensured that the narrow lead was protected and Eastbourne had work to do in the second period. In fact it was the visitors who played the better rugby in the second half and dominated for lengthy periods. It was in one such phase that a great forward drive swept over the Hove line only for the touchdown to be denied by the referee who was not persuaded that the ball had been grounded.

Still the momentum was maintained; substitutions from the bench made a big impact and Hove probably felt relieved, and a little fortunate, to come away with the win.

All eighteen players did their club proud. The pack of forwards where Andy Curtis was outstanding; the Stevenson brothers at half back; the back three linking so well and Carl Slaughter and Rob Fenner showing class on the wings.

The consolation bonus point was the very least they all deserved

Eastbourne: Barron, Bettles, Eyre, Mottram, Chilvers, Hayller, Curtis, Redman (Capt) Stevenson M, Stevenson A, Slaughter, King; Cheater, Fenner, Linscott, Jameson, Palfreyman, Parr.