Eastbourne 1st XV Come Back Down to Earth

Eastbourne were brought down to earth by a very well drilled Hove side who took revenge for their defeat at Park Avenue earlier in the season. Boosted by several cameo performances in the home back line, Hove outplayed the Blue & Golds tactically, positionally and in the pride with which they dominated the first half.

Eastbourne contributed to their own demise with some elementary handling errors and in particular, loose kicking from hand. So often the ball was kicked to one of the Hove back five players who ran the ball back with impunity. Three simple tries in the first quarter rocked Eastbourne who barely played outside their own half during this period. Facing a 17-0 score, it was only after 25 minutes that Martin King seized on a loose ball and manufactured a beautiful score, searing through the home defence. It never looked like the start of a comeback however and two quick tries just on half time took Hove to the turnaround at 31-5 ahead

Initially the second half looked to start in the same vein; the outstanding Hove centres combining to put another 5 points on the board. However Eastbourne began to claw their way back into the game and taking advantage of a superior penalty count, spent the majority of the second half on the front foot. Eastbourne players Barron, Redman and Turner never stopped working and their efforts were eventually rewarded when Matt Hayller, on as substitute touched down in the corner

Hove managed the last laugh when they scored one last try on the final whistle – a great running move that exemplified their ability to attack from defence. Perhaps it will have served as a wake-up call for Eastbourne`s home RFU Cup game against Beccehamians on February 2nd

Eastbourne: Barron Bettles Keen Chilvers Mottram Redman Curtis Turner Aitkenhead Cousins Sage King Stevenson Fenner Cheater Jameson Hayller Slaughter