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
The only senior game last weekend was a rare Saturday fixture for our Women, who travelled to Dorking. G’s stood up well against a very strong Dorking outfit, eventually going down 26 - 5.
To see Ben’s pics of the game, click here: Match pics
This weekend sees both Men’s sides back in action. Our 1XV travel to Surrey to take on KCS Old Boys on Saturday. Each fixture is massive for the lads as we get into the business end of the season, so please come and support the boys if you can. The 2’s also have a tricky away fixture against rivals Eastbourne. Both games kick off at 2pm.
JUNIOR RUGBY
Sunday 26th - The calm after the storm. Thankfully Storm Eowyn had blown through before the weekend and Sunday was a perfect dry winter morning. We had another packed house with all sections playing at home this week.
The U10s welcomed 3 teams from Haywards Heath for some joint training and matches. Despite a few late dropouts. EG also fielded 3 teams and we organised a mini round-robin tournament so all teams could play each other.
HHRFC fielded some strong teams which made for some close games which were all played in good spirit. It was great to give the kids some much needed match experience after the Christmas break with a busy end of the year on the horizon. There was excellent play from both clubs with some great tackling and passing with offloads out of tackles. HH were excellent with their counter-rucking and have clearly worked on this. The coaches all agreed that it was good to see the work-ons that were needed as the matches were refereed with coaching in mind.
Afterwards, the club laid on hot food for all the players which was very welcome as it was a cold morning out on the pitches.
Our thanks to Haywards Heath RFC and all the parents for making the trip. We look forward to a return fixture.
Next weekend, The U9s are hosting Burgess Hill RFC at HQ whilst the U11s travel to Trinity.
INTERMEDIATE RUGBY
A first visit to Shoreham for our U13's started in gale force winds. The sides were evenly matched for the first quarter as a real arm wrestle ensued, with neither managing to get the better of the other but both playing some great rugby.
As the game progressed it was EG who started to look the stronger and they scored a well deserved try through Bertie Mitchell. Shoreham hit back and, just before half time, EG reestablished the lead with a try from George Shepherd.
The second half saw EG extend their lead, scored again by Bertie Mitchell. However, Shoreham were not done and hit back twice in quick succession to level the scores at 3-3. The rain began lashing down and it was EG who coped with the conditions best, scoring 3 tries from Bertie Mitchell, George Shepherd and Rory Collins, as Shoreham became a little disheartened.
EG put a final nail in the coffin with the last action of the game when Billy Hodge scored a 7th try. Final score Shoreham 15 - EG 35.
Whilst delighted with the win, the coaches were more pleased at the nature of it. This was a real team performance with every single player working their socks off.
It's hard to pick out any individuals but Bertie was deservedly man of the match- and a mention to Joseph & Dex playing their first Blues game and fitting in perfectly. The entire team should be incredibly proud, and they certainly earned their bacon & egg baps at the end.
Our U14 Girls narrowly lost, 10 -19 at home to the East Sussex Baa Baa’s, while the U15’s were beaten 7 - 19 against Lewes. As with the previous game against Jersey, our U15 team were fired up from the first whistle, scoring quickly in this league game. Last season’s curse of taking 30 minutes to get into the game seems to be behind us. A good running try by Isaac, converted by Declan gave EG an early lead and ensured our supporters were in full voice. The first 20 minutes suggested EG were going to dominate one of our league’s titans.
Throughout the game EG’s pack was dominant, something we are getting used to. We look forward to the time when the 1.5m limit is removed and we can push the opposition’s scrum down the field, or until the referee blows the whistle. In a game where EG entered Lewes’ 22m and 5m zones several times, we were unable to add to that initial score. Lewes came back and were decisive every time they entered our 22, scoring three tries with two conversions.
The weather was fierce and the wind, rain and cold tested the fortitude of all the players in some of the worst conditions seen in the last few seasons. Both Lewes and EG agreed our man of the match was Blake for some outstanding carries and tackles; I want to stress though, that in this game, all the EG players deserve credit for their hard work. The game was unrelentingly physical and EG picked up several injuries. We will nurse our wounds and focus on next week’s league game against Hove. On the current performance, EG U15 can beat anyone in the league with a few tweaks, wise words and some small improvements.
Our U16’s made amends by pipping the Blue and Whites, 20 - 17.
Our Colts rounded the day off with another excellent win at Shoreham, taking the points with a 5 - 15 victory.
SATURDAY AT THE CLUB
Although no G’s rugger at Saint Hill on Saturday, there is a massive match on Saturday as England take on Ireland at the Aviva. The bar will be open from 4pm, ready for a 4.45 kick off. Food is also being served, so see you there!!
All this is a prelude to the much anticipated U14 tour fundraiser at 7pm. They are hosting a quiz night to raise funds for their tour to Spain. Get yourself in a team of six and get swotting!
It will be a brilliant evening, so please come and support.
CUBA TOUR REUNION LUNCH
With only two home league matches of the season left, first up is always my favourite fixture of the season, G’s v Eastbourne on the 15th February. The pre-match meal doubles as a very special reunion!
Its 25 years since a forty-two strong touring party from EGRFC visited Cuba to play the Cuban national side. It was truly a brilliant trip – so much so that we have a lot of players who have moved away joining us for the pre-match lunch. This is also a great excuse to gather a lot of past players to meet up and reminisce how good it has been to play for EGRFC …. And how it was a different game!
We have many “old faces” joining us, but one making a special journey is Arnaud Sehebaide, making the journey from France. We look forward to catching up with him.
So whether you’re a past Cuba or Canada tourist – or a past player wanting to catch up – lets make it big day at EGRFC and support the 1st team v Eastbourne.
You never know might spark up another tour.
For more information contact: garry.gordon@btinternet.com
To book your seat, follow this link: Lunch tickets Alternatively, e-mail us at: events@egrfc.com or call the office on 01342 322338 and ask for Julie.
200 CLUB
Our 200 Club provides a vital part of raising funds for playing equipment for the club, with the added bonus of giving our members the chance to win cash prizes each month!!
January 2025 Prize Draw Winners
1st Prize, Ticket No. 59 Ian Forbes - £125
2nd Prize, Ticket No. 60 Julie Blackwell - £50
3rd Prize, Ticket No. 56 Derek Hughes - £25
Well done to all our winners!
Could all winners please send their banking details to Stephanie.irwin@egrfc.com for payment directly into their bank account.
Reminder that should 3 months elapse from draw date and details for payment have not been forwarded to the club, then the winning sum will revert to the club account.
To find out more, or join in the 200 club fun, click here: 200 Club
BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION
February is Heart Month – a time to reflect on and act upon heart and circulatory diseases. In the UK, these conditions affect around twice the number of people as Alzheimer’s and cancer combined. That’s why the British Heart Foundation (BHF) is asking people to Go Red in Heart Month and help to fund the cures of tomorrow.
Whether it’s a big ball, an office dress-up day, a coffee morning or a red-themed quiz, red is a great theme to have some fun with. Too many of us know the pain of losing a loved one to a cardiac arrest, supporting a child with congenital heart disease or coping with the devastating impact of heart failure. But by fundraising for the BHF this Heart Month, you can help keep hearts beating and get us closer to a world free from the fear of heart and circulatory diseases.
Raising funds is not the only way you can help. We are also encouraging people to learn the lifesaving skill of CPR through our digital tool RevivR. In just 15 minutes, using a cushion and a phone, you can learn the skills to save a loved one’s life in the event of a cardiac arrest.
For more information, or to find out how you can get involved, visit the BHF’s website: bhf.org.uk/heartmonth
PREM FINAL
WATCH CHAMPIONS CROWNED THIS SUMMER
The 2025 Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final is set to be the most thrilling yet and hospitality is on sale now! Make your day unforgettable with our premium hospitality packages:
• Union Ale House: Enjoy an arrival drink (beer, wine, or soft drink) and an unbeatable matchday atmosphere.
• The Gate: Indulge in a three-course meal, plus an all-inclusive bar with wine, ales, Guinness, and premium lagers.
Don’t miss out, secure your place today!
Click here for all the package info: Prem packages
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!!