With young legs in the backs and strong bodies in the pack the Blue and Golds were confident they had the measure of their opponents. They had already beaten their fourth-placed rivals earlier in the season.

Cinque Ports made several incursions into Eastbourne territory but were held at bay by good defensive work. However, an early infringement by the visitors led to an easy penalty against them.
Not deterred by this Eastbourne were putting together some good back moves with clean possession.
After ten minutes speedy Jack Linscott took off on a great run leading to a try under the posts. Although this was unconverted the next score ten minutes later saw Aaron Stevenson touch down and convert his own try. This was followed by a fine try by Adrian Moyo. The conversion was successful.

At half-time the score was 19-3 to Eastbourne. Ten minutes after the interval Alpha Rachier, having an excellent game in defence and attack, scored a well-deserved try. Good work by Jamie Adams and good support from other players saw Carl Slaughter touch down for a final score. Cinque Ports 3 Eastbourne 29.

Eastbourne’s pack did well to disrupt the opposition line-out and scrums; other positive features were excellent attacking by Joe Hibben and great work by Tom Shuttleworth, solid in defence. Some great runs from the backs were only spoiled at the last moment by handling errors. The score could and should have been much higher over a team able to muster only a few attacks from their backs and reliant on a kicking game from their veteran fly-half.

Man of the Match Alpha Rachier.

Team : Imich, Edwins, Jackson, Palfreyman, Moyo, Shuttleworth, Hibben, Van Bentham, Aitkenhead, Stevenson, Delaney, Adams, Linscott, Rachier, Parr, Hunt, Slaughter, Shearing, J.Baldwin.

Last week the Under 14’s, on tour in Paignton, Devon, won the South Coast Trophy, beating Truro in the final.

On Friday night a returning Colts XV took on an Eastbourne XV and beat them in an entertaining but evenly matched contest.

Next week sees the final and crucial game for the Nomads against Burgess Hill at Hampden Park at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Supporters are most welcome as the season draws to a close.