Pulborough Vs Eastbourne

Taking the wise decision to hire a coach for the long trip to West Sussex, Eastbourne arrived relaxed but ready to focus on what would be a keenly contested encounter with a combative opponent. Aware of their tendency to start off in a laid-back fashion the Blue and Golds got into their stride with great energy and purpose, keeping the home side pinned in their half for a good ten minutes. Despite good possession and well-co-ordinated attacks the visitors were unable to breach the solid Pulborough defences.

Injuries to the home side held up play and must have contributed to Eastbourne's slackening of pace as the first score fell to a determined thrust by Pulborough catching Eastbourne's defence on the hop. A try near the posts was well converted. However, the visitors were not to be panicked and their immediate riposte was a well-worked try by Sid Hiremutt, ably converted by Ben Barter. The scores were level until a yellow card for Matt Pysden, playing his usual feisty role at No. 9, reduced Eastbourne to fourteen players and stretched their defences. In a period of ten minutes the West Sussex team put two scores on the board and 12 points between the two teams. At half time the tally was Pulborough 19 Eastbourrne 7. Eastbourne would have their work cut out.

The afternoon was gradually darkening but over the South Downs a weak sun gave a glimmerof hope. Good tackling by Eastbourne, good poaching of opposition ball in open play and steady work in the set-pieces meant that Eastbourne slowly but surely made progress towards their adversary's line. Despite a few unnecessary penalties the Blue and Golds were driving dangerously close to the Pulborough posts. One attacking movement led to a fine opportunistic try by Pysden and a conversion by Barter after just eight minutes of the half. Within a few minutes good defence and counter-attacking led to an excellent run by Charlie Smith - changing pace and with a deceptive change of direction- and resulted in a superb individual five-pointer to level the scores.

Eastbourne had the bit between their teeth and kept Pulborough from venturing into their half. Only sterling defence and determined tackling kept Eastbourne's score to a mere 3 tries. For their part the visitors failed to capitalize on their possession and were unable to score more points due to passes not going to hand but Eastbourne ended the game battering at the Pulborough line in what was a well-fought, clean and thoroughly enjoyable afternoon's rugby. The game was also a debut for No 8 Luke Thomas and prop Juan Antonio Peinado Garcia who acquitted themselves well.

Team: Bowery, Sinclair, Chilvers, Mottram, Farley,Hayllar, Grey, Redman, Pysden, Barter, Smith, Cheater, Clarke, Hiremutt, King N., Backler,Thomas, Peinado Garcia.