Seaford I vs Rye I - Saturday 8th October 2011

Team: J.Cowen, S.Dann, S.Parker, S.Diplock (J.Farrelly), B.Lane, J.Sheppard, J.Anderson, D.Newby, D.Kristiansen, B.Cox, M.Tait, P.Burns, M.Crowley, M.Shearing, N.Everson. Sub: S.Dimmer.

Seaford I’s made the trek to Rye to face their first team. Seaford took control of the game from the start, catching Rye completely unprepared. As a shoddy pass shot between Rye players on the far wing, Matt Shearing saw an opportunity and intercepted the pass, carrying the ball from the half way line down to the try line with relative ease as Rye had all been sucked up to the game line. This went unconverted but put Seaford up by five points a mere four minutes into the game.

Seaford dominated a lot of the possession during the first half but certainly not easily, as they were at constant loggerheads with their opponents when trying to gain ground. Fortunately for Rye, after conceding two penalties, both kicks were missed with some ill-timed gusts of wind throwing them off course.

Seaford increased their lead further with a second, converted, try twenty minutes in. Seaford had been awarded a scrum 15 yards from their opponents try line; Seaford kept possession of the ball, with number 8, Danny Newby, scooping it out and powering through Rye and over the try line.

Rye were unsuccessful in having any real opportunities to reach the try line but were fortunate in being awarded three penalties, all successfully kicked, with Seaford making silly mistakes off the ball.

Seaford looked good for a third try after Newby had broken through the defensive line around the half way mark and sprinted up the wing to within yards of the try line. As Newby met the Rye resistance, a maul was formed with Seaford driving it forwards for the points. Unfortunately for Seaford, it was decided that the ball was held up when the maul collapsed over the try line and the points were not awarded.

This was however quickly followed by an actual try by scrum half, Dan Kristiansen. Seaford’s captain, Paul Burns, had spotted a gap in Rye’s formation around the half way mark and made a break, taking the ball again to within yards of the try line. Rye’s full back came in sideways to tackle Burns short of the line. Fortunately Kristiansen had kept on Burns’ heels and was there to collect the pop up ball and carry it over the line. This was successfully converted by Cox to take the half time score to 19 – 9 to Seaford.

Seaford started the second half looking strong, with another try within minutes of the restart. Seaford had quickly regained possession from their kick and after a break into Ryes territory by Newby, were awarded a scrum on the 10 yard line. The ball was taken out the back of the scrum and spun along to fly half, Ben Cox, who dodged round the attempted tackles and over the line. Cox also converted this try.

Unfortunately for Seaford, this was their final points of the game. Rye however went on to score two converted tries and two penalties in the remainder of the second half to put them up by three points with the last phase of play dawning. Seaford plugged away at Rye’s defence and forced a penalty to be awarded. By slip of the tongue, it was chosen to kick for the posts for a draw. The kick however careered off at an angle and was ‘marked’ by a Rye player to finish the game.

For the majority of the game, Seaford had deserved a win but Rye did not let their heads drop and came back with great force in the second half to steal the victory.

Seaford I’s play at home next week, East Grinstead II, 2pm kick off. Seaford II’s also play at home, a Sussex Salver Cup game against Burgess Hill II’s who they beat just last week in their league fixture.