Eastbourne 1st XV vs Plumpton 1st XV

This was the first ever encounter against these 2 teams. Newly promoted Plumpton did not let themselves down in a hard fought battle of the packs.

Eastbourne started off scoring within the first 10 minutes with Lee Walker scoring a lovely try which was converted by Ring 7-0. At this early stage you would of thought Eastbourne would pile on the pressure, however it was Plumpton who now took advantage. A try was disallowed by their huge No 8 and from a 10 meter scum, continued pressure saw Plumpton score 7-5. Eastbourne hit back as skipper Bettles rounded off a good move by the forwards and got a try back for the home side, which was converted by Ring 14-5. This didn’t make Plumpton heads drop, they combined a lovely move into Eastbourne’s 10 metre area, and their number 8 scored. This was converted 14-12. Ring now took control and scored in the 38th minute, but couldn’t convert his try 19-12. With time added on in the 44th minute saw continued pressure by Eastbourne’s three quarter line saw Lee making a brilliant break and passing at the right time to winger Hartley to score. Ring again converting 26-12.

Eastbourne should of now finished off the game, but this wasn’t to happen. It was Plumpton who took control and scored within 10 minutes 26-17. Eastbourne had to pull their socks up if they were to win. They had to use both the forwards and backs to make things happen and the home crowd weren’t disappointed. Ring stepped up and scored 31-17, with Ring missing the conversion. Ring picked up his hat-trick of try’s after a super move down the line with forwards and backs interacting. With Ring also converting the score was 38-17. Bourne now in control with the Plumpton pack tiring, saw scrum half Sid Hiremutt scoring and again being converted by Ring 45-17. By now Bourne had the upper hand and coach Norwood made a great decision to bring on 2 young Colts for their 1st XV debuts both 17. Charles Manning and Taylor Wilks, whose father Adrian had played Colts and 1st XV for Eastbourne back in 1980s. Both didn’t disappoint getting involved in moves and putting hard tackles in. In the last minutes of the game, Bourne now in complete control, had a try disallowed. A knock on very close to Plumptons line by Everett and it was down to skipper Bettles to round off a great display with a forwards try converted by the trustworthy boot of Ring for a final score of 52-17. It was Eastbourne’s day. Man of the match was awarded to both Colts Manning and Wilks.