Eastbourne's 5th Win in a Row

The tone was set from the outset when a bullocking run by Tobin made 20 metres and gave positional advantage to the home side. A kick on by Steve Clarke was picked up by Nick King who was able to run in behind the posts and record 5 points which Adam Tennant easily made 7; and the game had barely begun.

From that point, tries came to Eastbourne at regular intervals. James Coulthard touched down after 12 minutes following a handling move involving Sage, Tennant and Aitkenhead. Next it was Chris Chilvers, the prop having a fine game, who scored in an exciting dash for the line.

Eastbourne lost Aitkenhead to injury shortly afterwards and Stefan Cousins came on to play out of position but effectively at No. 9 for the rest of the game. Two scores within 5 minutes must have disheartened Hove; Steve Clark whose game was exemplary throughout, picked up and crossed in his own right. And then Chilvers recorded his second following a passage when the ball passed through 12 pair of hands. On the stroke of half time, Nick King got his second of the afternoon; Adam Tennant`s kick gave him a five from six conversion success rate

The second half was less entertaining; a few niggles crept into the game and instances of foul play were more evident. A magnificent lineout catch and breakaway by Tom Redman was the highlight together with one further try for Nick King and one for his namesake, Martin King. Tennant converted all three and the final whistle was a relief to an exhausted Hove side.

Eastbourne: Chilvers, Oakey, Webb, Mottram, Tobin, Redman, Hancock, Turner, Aitkenhead, Tennant, Sage, Clark, King M., King N., Coulthard

Subs Used; Keen, Cousins

MoM Matt Mottram for unstinting work around the pitch