Welcome to East Grinstead Rugby Round Up. If you are reading this on the website, or via Facebook, please sign up to receive this Newsletter via email, which contains loads of pictures and other content, please email m.marriott@btconnect.com and we will add you to the list.

SENIOR RUGBY
Some weekends stand out and this was one of them. Fantastic rugby, great weather, fantastic playing surfaces, delicious pre-match food, rousing support from the terraces and of course, the results!!!

Our 1XV, hosting Old Walcountians, got things underway. Having been beaten at theirs earlier in the season, the boys were determined to show how much they have improved over the last couple of months. Did they manage it? Click here to read all the action: Match report

Thank you so much to Ben for these beauties: Match pics

A hard act for our Ladies to follow on Sunday as they hosted Beckenham, who like the men’s oppo, had beaten them last year. What happened I hear you cry? Well, to find out, just click here: Match reports

Thanks again to Ben for these pics (We need to get a bed for him at the club!!!): Match pics

This weekend, in a change of venue, our 1’s host Old Cranleighans in another very winnable fixture. There is an opportunity to grab an unexpected pre-match meal for the bargain price of £15. See the article below to grab your seat!

Meanwhile, on pitch 2, our 2’s take on Crowborough keen to keep their unbeaten season alive. Both games kick off at 2.15!

See you there!!!

JUNIOR RUGBY
This Sunday saw a full house at HQ and it was busy as always. With the sun shining and the pitches in good shape, all the junior sections were out honing their skills in preparation for the busy schedule ahead.

With their first competitive matches on the horizon for the 2023-24 season, the U9s ran a mini ‘4 nations’ tournament, England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Although we note coach Dan Lethbridge was not happy with being handed the management of Wales! The aim was to get the players ready to operate under tournament rules. Head Coach Stuart Bell noted, "The players all did tremendously well showing that they were able to put in the skills they have been practicing in fast-paced back-to-back games and it gave them all some valuable match experience".

There was some excellent play from all of the players with some great running and passing resulting in some well worked tries. There was also some brave and outstanding tackling (and big hits) which showed the defensive skills are also blossoming.

The parents all gave positive feedback expressing how much their children enjoyed the session. Both parents and coaches had their vote for their player of the tournament for each of the nations and awards were given to:

Coaches' Pick
Harry Goldsworthy
Mickey Cunningham and Gwilym Gulczynski
Ethan Noyce
Cassius

Parents' Pick
Seb Lethbridge
Mattie Evans
Jim George
Ollie Hayward

The choice of player awards was so tight due to the high standards on show so the coaches wanted to give some special mentions to; Amelia Floodgate, Ethan Scott-Hosking, Chloe Adkin and memorable debuts from Freddie Mason and Ollie Cook who only started a few weeks

The U6s had the full attention of all the younger ones this week and reported back on a very successful session with the kids really starting to come on.

Elsewhere the U7s were putting together the skills they need to compete with upcoming away fixtures at St Francis next Sunday and then at Hove on 3rd March.

Stash - Please note; that we have received an order from our kit supplier, O'Neills, and we have a selection of new match shirts, shorts and socks in addition to the huge array of 2nd hand clothing available at the Club Shop.

INTERMEDIATE RUGBY
Our Intermediate age grade rugby at EG is going from Strength to Strength!

U13’s
Our under 13’s played at HQ against a strong Chichester outfit in the league, G’s were 15 - 5 at halftime with a brace of tries from skipper Sid Ward-Harris. Some resolute defensive play in the second half kept Chichester to only getting one try back. G’s held out giving them the well deserved victory 15 - 10.

U14’s
Non league fixture at Pulborough
Pulborough 22 EG 15 another excellent performance from the G's that just came up short. Tries Nik G 2, Sam O'Sullivan. Ollie S MoM.
Our team are getting stronger at every match and if a few 50/50’s had gone our way, the close defeat 24 - 19, would have been a different story.

U15’s
League match at Hove
Report from head coach Ric Blackburn
“Various injuries meant the U15’s travelled to Hove with a squad of just 16 for their next Sussex league game. With a winger starting in the back row and two players making their debuts, this turned out to be the best performance of the season so far - a total team effort with some great support play and domination at the rucks saw East Grinstead come away with a bonus point win, 22-19. Man of the match selected by Hove's team went to Will Jolley.”

U16’s
League match away at Guernsey
Our under 16’s flew to Channel Islands for a difficult game.
From coach Lee Simpson
“They played the best game I have ever seen. Sadly lost 15-9. We had 3 trys disallowed for offside in open play, which was strange, but apart from some aspects of the game, including the result, we still enjoyed our day out in Guernsey.”

Colts
League match away at Pulborough
Report from team manager Malcolm Higginson
“Our Colts ran out winners against Pulborough 29 - 32 in a very gutsy league performance. With 3 recognised backs and 14 forwards available the lads gave everything, with 4 minutes to go we were down 29 -27, but a brilliant final try carried us home.”

SATURDAY’S UNEXPECTED PRE-MATCH MEAL
You have until the end of the day tomorrow (Thursday) to grab a seat for grub for only £15 as our 1’s host Old Cranleighans in a change of venue. Please click this link for details and how to book: Pre-match meal

G’s STASH ON TOUR
Back by popular demand for this brilliant picture and story!!
Pilot, Touch rugby player and U12 coach, Ben Collins found fellow player Josh Burns on his plane!! Even better news is that Josh was flying away on his Honeymoon!!!

Huge congratulations from all at East Grinstead rfc to Josh and Hannah. Enjoy your trip - Victoria Falls looks amazing!!!

If you have any great pics of East Grinstead rfc stash ‘on tour’, please send them to m.marriott@btconnect.com with a suitable caption - You never know, you might even win a prize!!

200 CLUB WINNERS
January winners are as follows:
1st, No. 35 - £125.00
2nd, No. 9 - £50.00
3rd, No. 65 - £25.00

Well done to all our winners! If you want to contact us and let us know what you spent your prize money on, we would be delighted to hear from you!

Why not join the fun and be part of our 200 club, please click here for more details and how to sign up: 200 Club

BAND OF DADS
Come and join BOD, 2nd Chapter and DJ Steve Black for an evening of music and fun at EGRFC on Friday the 9th of February, raising funds for the U14 East Grinstead Rugby Gibraltar 2024 Rock'n'Roll tour.

email: u14fundraisernightinfo@gmail.com for tickets, alternatively scan the QR code on the flyer or visit BOD tickets to buy tickets online.
With your ticket, you'll get a free entry into the raffle for some great prizes, and can purchase more raffle tickets on the night.
Food is available to purchase on the night!

6 NATIONS
It’s going to be such an interesting tournament, with all teams blooding new players, with key personnel missing for a variety of reasons!
This Saturday, the Italy v England game will be on at the club at 2.15 in case you need any extra entertainment, but I expect our 1XV will have most of your attention!

England Women are going for an extraordinary 6th title in a row and will welcome historic rivals, Ireland, to Twickenham on Saturday 20 March.

You don’t want to miss this, secure your place today. Adult from £20, Juniors £5. Or take advantage of our new group offer; Adults Tickets from £15 when you purchase 10 or more. Click here for all the info: Red Roses tickets

OTHER NEWS
If you have any news about any aspect of our rugby family here at East Grinstead, get involved and email m.marriott@btconnect.com. See you next week!!