Eastbourne 2nd XV Storm Hastings
With Eastbourne’s 1st XV match scratched due to Haywards Heath’s second string being unable to field a team, the Nomads were in a position to take a strong side away to Hastings. Also included were one or two bright prospects from the Third XV.
Hastings & Bexhill II 7- Eastbourne Nomads 48.
Eastbourne matched their bulky opponents with some mobile young forwards and were able to get the better of them in the loose and also spoil their line-outs with some astute jumping. With quick ball from mercurial scrum-half Matt Stevenson and smooth service from his brother Aaron at fly-half, Eastbourne were able to get their young back-line into action very swiftly and were soon up by two tries in the opening minutes. Hastings replied with their own converted try and matters were, for a while, even.
But the visitors’ defence on the one hand and their repeated penetrating attacks, on the other, were beginning to wear down the home side. Eastbourne’s forwards shared in the tackling and in the swift running movements towards the Hastings line. More tries followed.
Counter-attacks by Eastbourne brought more dangerous incursions into Hastings & Bexhill territory. With veteran Rob Light adding to the action and some searing runs from full-back Jack Linscott, Matt Baldwin, Joe Skeet and the Stevensons at half-back the slower and heavier pack of the home side were beginning to suffer.
A characteristic touchline surge by winger Luke Sage outsprinting his opponents led to a try under the posts. Jack Linscott and Shane Wyatt added to the score-sheet .Aaron Stevenson’s kicking ( much improved from last week ) added the extras.
Despite a few injuries and the intense pace of the game, Eastbourne were able to field a few more replacements who joined in the try-scoring jamboree.
With a few more passes to hand and a bit more care the visitors could have had 3 or 4 more touchdowns.
Hastings battled bravely on but were outgunned by a strong pack and fleet of foot three-quarters.
The final score was 48-7 to Eastbourne with some great running and a better kicking performance.
Team: McKenna, Wyatt, Keen, Wilmer, Baldwin,Funnell, Hibben, Skeet, M Stevenson, A.Stevenson, Sage, M.King, Light,Slaughter, Jackson, Giles, Edwins, Delaney. P.Newman.
Next week the Nomads face Brighton III at home and the 1st XV are away to Brighton II. Eastbourne’s III XV are away to Seaford II’s.
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