Eastbourne Vs Aylesford Bulls

A game that promised so much duly delivered everything for the Blue & Golds...except the result. A no-holds barred contest resulted in 9 tries with Aylesford clinging on at the end to win by a single score. Despite the disparity in size, both sides were evenly matched in terms of skill and determination to play at high tempo. Eastbourne`s half back pairing of Pysden and Barter sparkled all afternoon as did the back row trio of Grey, Redman and Cousins. In all it was a fine advertisement for the home club against a very well organised and high flying Kent side.

A trademark weapon this season has been the tap penalty and when Pysden set off after 10 minutes, the touchdown by Max Cheater looked a formality. Barter converted to make it 7-0. However, the Bulls exerted pressure down the right wing to make it 7-5 before Barter broke the defensive line and added a further seven points to the home score.

Skipper Steve Clark was forced from the field with a head injury just before half time requiring a reshaped back line. Although he was to return later, the Bulls scented blood and pushed Eastbourne off a home scrum to reduce the deficit. When, on the half time whistle, Cousins was adjudged to have slowed the ball down, the Blue & Golds were reduced to 14 men and following the successful penalty kick, were only one point ahead.

The first 10 minutes of the second half determined the final result; the big Aylesford forwards took control of the game scoring 3 times to take a substantial lead to 14-34. However Eastbourne were anything but finished and indeed dominated the last quarter. Another quickly taken tap by Pysden put Cheater over for his second of the afternoon which Barter converted. Then excellent line-out work by Gavin Farley set up an eight man drive with Ed Sinclair crossing for a typical hooker`s try. Barter again converted and Eastbourne were back in the game.

Wave after wave of attacking moves brought play onto the visitors` line but their defence held out and Eastbourne had to be content with the bonus point from their fourth try. Neither side deserved to lose but it was Aylesford who returned home with the win

Eastbourne : Bowry, Sinclair, Goldsmith, Farley, Hayller, Redman, Grey, Cousins, Pysden, Barter, Hiremutt, Clarke, Cheater, Quinn, King, Garcia, Skidmore, Keen