H & B RFC UNDER 15s v EAST GRINSTEAD RFC UNDER 15s

Having been postponed twice previously H & B and East Grinstead fixture finally proceeded. Much was riding on this final league match of the season for both teams who could finish third in the table or face the agony of relegation to the second tier for their final season as juniors. H & B had picked a powerful-looking team with probably the heaviest pack and moving dynamic flanker Monty Wheeler into a reshuffled midfield given injury to fly-half Will Roberts.

The day was perfect for rugby as the sun shone down on the players as H & B efficiently chased the kick-off, putting East Grinstead under immediate pressure. They could not clear their lines and Wheeler intercepted a loose pass to score a quick-fire try within 60 seconds. Only the post stopped an excellent conversion attempt, but H & B had achieved a dream start. This was followed by an outstanding series of play where H & B unleashed a maelstrom of attacking intent, physicality in the ruck and fluidity of passing. Only the touch line and penalties prevented H & B from scoring several times and intensity of tackling exhibited by the home team penned East Grinstead in their own half. Alas, there are no points in rugby for possession & territory and East Grinstead adjusted their gameplay to a more direct strategy and a couple of missed tackles from H & B meant that the visitors were able to score a try between the posts and wrestle control of the game and the scoreboard as a successful conversion gave them the lead 5-7.

The remainder of the half was far more even and possession alternated between the two teams. However mistakes started to creep into H & B’s play and their ruck speed deteriorated which meant that East Grinstead started to create more pressure on a tiring defensive line as the half wore on. East Grinstead managed to create space and score a try in the corner as H & B ran out of defensive cover to score an unconverted try and take a convincing 5-12 lead. Things looked even worse as Zane Wickens & Tom Bryant had to leave the pitch due to injuries they had picked up.

As the match resumed, East Grinstead were quicker out of the blocks and instantly put H & B under pressure and warning bells were ringing. Like Popeye after a can of spinach, H & B flexed their muscles and set up camp in the East Grinstead half only being denied a try by repeated infringements from the visitors until Louis Turpin used his strength to bundle over for an unconverted try and bring the game back to 10-12 at half-time, however the injury crisis continued with scrum-half Shephard off meaning yet another reorganisation of the backline.

The resumption of the game saw East Grinstead straight on the attack, exploiting the almost inevitable gaps as the home team adjusted to the injury-enforced changes. Just as East Grinstead burst through the defensive line, centre Turpin intercepted an almost certain try-creating pass. Resilience is a word that runs through this young H & B team like words on a piece of Hastings rock and this proved a decisive moment in the game. The pendulum started to swing back to H & B and improved retention meant that they worked the ball back up the field and just as a promising attack fizzled out, Wheeler ripped the ball off an East Grinstead player and dived over between the posts to score a converted try to put H & B in the lead.

When H & B knocked on the restart and East Grinstead celebrated as if they had won the world cup. This was perpetuated by both teams as the competitiveness and importance of the match weighed heavy on the shoulders the players. All 30 players on the pitch were playing with intensity and purpose and it was hard for anyone to make an impact until Finley Davies made an excellent break off a scrum only to be dump tackled by an East Grinstead defender. A risky decision was made to take the penalty given the range, but was vindicated by an outstanding kick from Davies himself to dissect the posts and put the home team further into the lead 20-12.

The game was far from over and East Grinstead’s excellent full back made significant ground to set up an attack just snuffed out by H & B who were able to resume their offence on East Grinstead’s try line who couldn’t quite get out of their own half. Davies made an excellent decision to execute a drop goal off a scrum to extend the lead to 23-12, but with plenty of time on the clock it was not time to relax. This was proven when East Grinstead effectively used the width of the pitch to stretch H & B’s defence score in the corner. Although the try was unconverted, the score was 23-17 and the game was once more in the balance.

Mistakes one more crept into H & Bs game, perhaps brought on by a nervous tension shared by the crowd. H & B lost a vital ruck on the half-way line, missed a couple of tackles and were only saved by East Grinstead dropping the ball. Although the sands of time were running down, it seemed at a slower rate than usual. Full back Ben Coulson ran the length of the pitch and was just tackled by a desperate defender as he was about to put the game out of reach. There was still time for more rugby though and East Grinstead counter-attacked and were about to score before forward Toby Fielder stopped what would have been a heart-breaking try. However, here was time for one more attacking scrum for East Grinstead to potentially score and steal the match. There was a palpable quiet around the pitch as the ball emerged from the scrum and the East Grinstead scrum half passed to launch one more attack. The H & B defence rushed up as if their lives depended on it and exerted sufficient pressure to force a knock-on and effectively end the match 23-17 in their favour.

This was a pulsating and competitive match that was not only a great exhibition for rugby, but for the two opposing teams too. All combatants on the pitch shook their opponent’s hand and many were seen to congratulate each other. The rematch next season should be one to look forward to.

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