Seaford 1st XV (21) - (25) Rye 1st XV

Seaford (21) – (25) Rye
J.Wilson (MOM), S.Dann, M.Read, A.Flynn, S.Diplock, T.Peissel, S.Webb, D.Newby(C), M.Upton, P.Hardwick, D.Flynn, S.Hordell, S.Voice, S.Baker.

Seaford held host to Rye on Saturday who are well known to Seaford and is always one of the toughest games in the season.
Seaford got off to a good start with early pressure forcing the visitors to in to conceding a penalty. Paul Hardwick converted the points to give Seaford an early 3 point lead.
Just 9 minutes later and Fly-half Hardwick was again in the mix with a superb cross field kick to the Scarlet speedster Darren Flynn, Flynn collected on the half way line and cruised his way in to score. Hardwick added a further 2 points to put Seaford 10 – 0 in the lead.
Seaford remained in control but when Rye finally had possession they took their chances well, with a break from the half way line they had a full defence to beat but with a rare mix up in the Seaford midfield, the Rye centre found his way to the try line for a converted try.
The restart was collected and went straight through the hands to wing man Scott Voice who very nearly extended Seaford’s lead but was narrowly nudged into touch.
Rye scored again due to missed tackles making the score 13 – 17 in Rye’s favour.
Again Seaford attacked straight from the restart with Hardwick again making the play, after stepping through the Rye defence he spun a missed pass to Darren Flynn who calmly collected his second score of the game.
Seaford had a chance to extend further just before the break but after great work the final unmarked man failed to receive the pass and a certain try went begging.

10 minutes into the second half and Hardwick added another 3 points from a penalty to put Seaford 21 – 17 infront. Seaford continued to control the game with for the second week running totally dominating in both scrums and lineouts. When fatigue finally started setting in, Rye were unlucky not to score after beating 4 Seaford defenders but thanks to last ditch defending from Dan Newby and Simon Baker, Rye were denied.
Rye kept their pressure and on 34 minutes they ran in for another unconverted try to lead 21 – 22.
Seaford fought in vain to get with in scoring distance but tragically gave away a penalty which Rye converted finishing the game at 21 – 25.