Eastbourne R.F.C. Match Report Saturday 12th September 2015

After the disappointments of cancelled pre-season friendlies the Blue and Golds were anxious to get off to a strong showing in the RFU Senior Vase against their London North West 3 opponents. On a bright, sunny day the home side got quickly into their stride with the wind behind them. For twenty minutes the hosts dominated and made some excellent progress towards the visitors' line. Despite the absence of their inspiring captain, Steve Clarke, influential scrum-half, Matt Pysden, and the injured Gav Farley, Eastbourne looked to be dominating the attacking play. Only excellent defence stopped them scoring. After another concerted effort a few minutes before half-time Eastbourne were finally able to send strong running centre Ben Barter ( making his debut at Park Avenue) over for a well deserved try near the posts. He converted his own try. Just before the interval the London Nigerians were pressing close to the home line but a final line-out won by Eastbourne saved the day.

Again Eastbourne started well in the second period of play and were the more threatening team despite losing Matthew Mottram to a pulled muscle. The strong scrummaging of the home side gave every reason for optimism, however. Then a few minutes into the half London Nigeria pulled back three points with a well-struck penalty. Some fifteen minutes later, throwing the ball wide and creating a generous overlap, the visitors finally breached the Blue and Golds' line to score a converted try. They were now in the lead and effectively kept Eastbourne at arms' length with stubborn tackling. A further penalty stretched their lead to six points. Despite further valiant efforts and some repeated and very determined attacking play by the Park Avenue team the score remained at 13-7 to the visitors.

This was a very good display by both teams and provided a fine example of a keenly and cleanly fought contest. Eastbourne will take many positives from this showing. There were some very good individual performances and this was an all-round heartening team effort. No doubt the team will look back at the match and iron out any rough edges. In particular, they will seek to improve on their ball-retention skills at the break-down. But this was a first outing without a few key members of the squad and with some new and very promising players. The team can now look forward to a first league match at home against Old Dunstonians at 2.30 next week.

Man of the Match: Eddie Sinclair.

Team: Wynne, Smith, Cousins, Barter, Stevenson, Mackay, Longton, Imich, Shuttleworth,
Goldsmith, Mottram, Chilvers, Redman, Grey, Sinclair, Webb, Hayllar, Slaughter.