Seaford I vs Eastbourne II - Saturday 17th September

Eastbourne started the game well regimented and trying to coax Seaford into playing to their own game plan. This was the case for the first ten minutes of the game, in which they scored the first points of the game; an unconverted try to put them five points up against the home team.

Seaford quickly readjusted their mindsets and soon regained control of the game. Within a few minutes, Seaford had played the ball deep into Eastbourne’s half from the restart. With some excellent handling from Seaford, the ball was played along the line to Michael Crawley, in his first few games for Seaford, using his agility and speed, honed through playing rugby league, to take the ball over the line for his teams first five points.

Eastbourne reacted well to the levelling of the scores and were soon close to scoring a second try. Unfortunately for them, Seaford’s defence stood strong and were able to hold up the attempt to cross the line.

Seaford’s second try came in quick succession to the unsuccessful attempt by their opponents. Again, Crawley was the player to take the ball over the line; coming about from Seaford making good use of the width of the field and eventually Seafords’ captain, Paul Burns, taking the ball through the defence and opening up the run for Crawley. This went unconverted to put the home team up two tries to one.

Simon Bakers try for the hosts came as a shock to everyone bar him! A bit of a disagreement had broken out around Eastbourne’s 22 yard line; Baker acknowledged this but also that the ball was still in play. He chipped the ball over the commotion and ran through, catching it and picking up a further seven points including the conversion.

Seaford looked certain to increase their lead before half time after a break through took the play well in Eastbourne’s 22. Despite various phases of play and the forwards relentlessly plugging at the Eastbourne defence, Eastbourne held strong and were able to win possession and clear out of the danger zone.

Seaford returned from the interval eager to keep their lead and helped secure this with a try from Ben Joy, playing his first season at senior level. Joy, playing at flanker, was quick to read the game and saw a gap forming, received the ball and then ran a third of the pitch leaving Eastbourne somewhat bewildered.

Josh Sheppard was next on the scoreboard for Seaford with two tries of his own. The second was a typical Sheppard try – after receiving the ball at the half way line, Sheppard sprinted and weaved in and out of the Eastbourne players, finding himself at the far side wing to touch the ball down.

Eastbourne were still very much in the game despite their lack of points, and closed the gap slightly with a second try of their own. The Eastbourne player has made a fantastic sprint down the wing, with only Paul Burns looking even close to catching him. Fortunately for Eastbourne, Burns’ tackle was made just inches from the try line and the player was able to use his momentum to take him and the ball over the line.

Mark Tait was the last to put five points onto his teams lead with a try successfully converted by Baker. This secured Seaford’s lead with seven tries to two.

Next week, Saturday 24th September, Seaford travel away to face Brighton, sure to be a challenging and hard hitting match.