Seaford 35 – Rye 16

Seaford 35 – Rye 16

S Parker, C Cameron, J Wilson, S Diplock (MOM), B Lane, P Culshaw, J Sheppard, D Newby, D Kristiansen, B Cox, M Tait, P Burns (C), C Burns, S Dimmer, N Everson. Subs; S Voice, B Lewis.

Rye were the visitors to the Salts on Saturday for what was always going to be a great match, Rye has been somewhat of a bogie team over the years for Seaford and there was revenge sought after the loss of a 24 point lead in the first half of the season away to Rye.
Seaford started with great defence which got a little too physical when The Rye flanker tried a crash ball into the Seaford Fly-half Ben Cox who in return tag teamed the player with Flanker Piers Culshaw to give a penalty away for a dangerous tackle when the visitor was put down on his head. Rye converted the Pen in the 4th minute to give them an early lead. The visitors returned the favour by giving away a penalty on their own 22 that Cox slotted to level the scores at 3 a piece just a few minutes later.
After a 15 minute spell of good rugby Seaford got back into the Rye 22, after 4 phases of pick and go, the Seaford Scrum-half Dan Kristiansen dummied from the back of the ruck to open the defence and slip over the line for The Scarlet’s first try, Cox missed the conversation but Seaford had the lead at 8-3.
10 minutes later Rye were awarded a dubious scrum just off the Seaford try line, Seaford turned the scrum 90 degrees but the referee failed to blow for a reset and Rye broke off and went over for an unconverted try.
From the restart Seaford attacked with determination and were awarded a penalty on the Rye 22, the ball was spun through 2 sets of hands where it was left to the Skipper Paul Burns to crash through the Rye defence leaving an easy conversion for Cox to kick.
Minutes later the mighty Scarlet’s were over the try line again, only for Cox to be held up in the process. Seaford worked well and key man Chris Burns worked his magic to put Cox in for a try that was this time successfully grounded bringing the score to 20-8.
Seaford again were on top from the restart, the backs used a well practice move off a lineout started by the inform Kristiansen, with another pin point accurate pass to see winger Mark Tait score in the corner. After 11 minutes of injury time being played, Rye were awarded a penalty to bring the score to 25-11 at the break.
After the restart the Rye skipper was unfortunate to be sin binned after a dangerous tackle, Seaford used the wind to kick to touch for a 5m lineout, Seaford lost their own ball but the stand-in Hooker Chris Cameron dived for the ball over the Rye try line to make amends bringing the points to a healthy 30-11.
On the hour Seaford are awarded a scrum on the Rye 22 where the Scarlet monster Dan Newby picks up then uses his immense strength to hand of 3 Rye defenders to crash over leaving a wake of destruction in his path.
The next 20 pass with very little excitement and Rye are eventually awarded a penalty on the Seaford 5m line, the ball in crashed into the Seaford defence where Rye get a late consolation try to finish the game 35-16.
This win saw Seaford into 3rd place in the league with the 2 teams above tied on points.
Next week Seaford play away to East Grinstead for a top of the table clash.