Second win at Home of the Season for Eastbourne’s 1st XV

In every respect, Eastbourne were superior to their Sussex rivals; fitness, skill and speed. At the end of the match however, the home side will rue the indiscipline that allowed their opposition to score 4 tries themselves and remarkably, to gain a bonus point. Spending half the match with a player out of the game with a yellow card is too risky a strategy at this level; these issues will need to be addressed.

In perfect conditions, Eastbourne were five tries to the good after only 20 minutes. Powerful No.8 James Grey got his first of three; failure to tackle from the restart allowed Tom Redman to show his speed and grab 5 points. Then when scrum half Pysden took a quick tap penalty, Nick King was able to finish off. Steve Clark capitalised on massive possession advantage by the home side up the left flank, followed almost immediately by a well deserved score for hooker Sinclair who had to leave the field soon after with a leg injury. On the half hour, a fracas erupted which resulted in Paul McKay and a Burgess Hill forward leaving the field for 10 minutes, during which Eastbourne still managed a further winger`s try for Nick King. Having scored one try earlier, the Sussex All Blacks tried a quick throw in from the line out and the ball was snaffled by Eastbourne for a wonderful pitch length run in; Nathan Ring was the player to touch down.
A last kick penalty handed 3 points back and the teams turned round at 43-10

Speed of thought and alertness characterised the start of the second half. Max Cheater fully deserved his score and James Grey followed up immediately; it seemed that the visitors were still thinking that the half time break was continuing. However this was the point at which the Hillians started their come-back, aided by Eastbourne's inability to keep 15 men on the field. Although Grey was able to bag his hat trick, the fresh legs of the visitors` bench gave them the edge in the final 10 minutes. Two driving mauls gave two identical tries which remained unconverted to end the game.

Remarkably, Eastbourne found a new kicker in loose head prop Josh Imich who claimed 4 conversions and took the man of the match award for his efforts.

Eastbourne: Imich, Sinclair, Chilvers, Mottram, Farley, Cousins, Grey, Redman, Pysden, McKay, Smith, Cheater, Clark, King N., Stevenson, Bettles, Ring, Hiremutt
Next match; Pulborough at home on October 10th