Eastbourne RFC v H&B RFC

Spring dawned on the day the Hastings & Bexhill Under 15s took to the field against Eastbourne both literally and metaphorically. Although there have been some closely contested matches, this H&B team had not beaten a direct, effective & well drilled Eastbourne team in previous seasons. Regardless, H&B kicked off into the azure sky to commence an epic game full of twists and turns.

The initial pressure and territory was generally in Eastbourne’s favour with quick passing releasing their strong runners who exploited a defensive line that was still warming up. Only a telling intervention at the goal line by fly half Roberts held up a certain try from Eastbourne during these early exchanges. Soon after resultant the goal-line drop out Eastbourne executed two quick passes to reach their outside centre who skilfully side-stepped the attempted tackle and scored a try that was unconverted and take an early lead 5-0.

H&B heads did not drop however and an excellent contest at the restart awarded H&B their first attacking possession. This was followed by a phase where mistakes and penalties ensued from both sides, but eventually Eastbourne’s speed at the ruck started to allow momentum to be generated in their favour. Eastbourne worked the ball up the pitch with elegant simplicity as they utilised their powerful runners once more, recycling the ball quickly and consistently making good ground until knocking the ball on inside H&B’s 22 metre line. An attempted kick clearance from the scrum found an Eastbourne player who was able to run in a second try relatively uncontested which was again unconverted.

Once more, H&B exerted excellent pressure on the restart and started to attack with more precision and intent, winning a penalty well inside the Eastbourne half. Although the attempted kick at goal was missed, Eastbourne could not clear the line and H&B attacked in waves; moving the ball well & creating space. Alas, the final pass didn’t seem to come and just when it seemed that this was going to be a fruitless passage of play, scrum half Rupert Sheppard found a gap in the Eastbourne defence to score a try which was unconverted. The score was now 10-5 and H&B were certainly in the ascendancy as the referee blew for half time.

As the game restarted Eastbourne scored almost instantly as they secured the ball quickly from a ruck and ran through to score a simple converted try. Straight from the restart, Eastbourne ran through the H&B team who missed several tackles and scored yet another try to extend the lead to 22-5. Alarm bells were ringing and the possibility of a significant defeat for H&B seemed on the cards.

The game entered a phase of relative calm after the early flurry of second half tries with some counter attacking from both teams but to little avail. Slowly the H&B team altered their tactics in possession, choosing a more expansive game, moving the ball wider and evading the larger Eastbourne team. Furthermore, H&B were faster in defence, denying their opposition the time in attack that they had hitherto enjoyed. This combination led to more possession for H&B and attacking intent. One attack was only ended by a high tackle on Sheppard for example. Also notable was the range of passes employed by the entire team and champagne rugby ensued as both centres Turpin & William Richardson started to break the gain line consistently. Full back Ben Coulson was able to join the attacking line and wingers Thomas Bryant and Keiron Robinson were able to exploit the space created. Regardless, the clock was ticking. A rampaging run by number 8 Toby Fielder turned the Eastbourne defence and a desperate clearing kick by Eastbourne found Coulson who embarked on a trademark mazy run to return the ball back with interest and release Turpin who barrelled over to score a try that was converted by Roberts.

This marked a change in fortunes for H&B and confidence ran through their veins. The H&B players were passing with scintillating speed and accuracy and nearly every player was involved in a maelstrom of attacking endeavour. The Eastbourne defence was moved almost at will as H&Bs decision-making appeared flawless; whether using the dynamism of man of the match captain Azat Kesen and his band of forwards to draw in the Eastbourne defence in the tight or using the space available against a tiring Eastbourne defence by the speedsters in the backs. An inevitable further score emanated from this as Roberts scored another try which he converted to bring the score up to 22-19. It was now game on, but time was becoming an issue.

H&B resumed their pattern of play from the restart and once more moved the ball to great effect, creating space and making good ground. Eastbourne’s power game had been effectively negated and Sheppard was able to once more touch down for another converted try to put H&B into a 22-26 lead that seemed impossible 25 minutes before. Momentum had certainly turned in the game and any hope of an Eastbourne comeback was extinguished when flanker Monty Wheeler was put into space to score yet another try. Although not converted, this was enough to secure a 22-31 win for H&B.

Although this has been a season where results haven’t always matched the rich talent on the pitch, this was a comeback worthy of Lazarus and demonstrated the resilience, skill and potential the entire squad have.

Hastings & Bexhill RFC are always looking to recruit new players from 5 years old – adult, girls and boys of all abilities. Please see our website www.hastingsrugby.org or email minis.rugby@hastingsrugby.org for more information. Hastings & Bexhill RFC prides itself on a warm welcome to all. Come and have a free, no obligation try out.

Written by Philip Usher