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
Two big games happened on Saturday. First was a big visit to Hove for our 1XV desperate for points. A titanic arm wrestle ensued. Who took the spoils? Read all about it here: Match report

For all of Bens pics of the match, follow this link: Match pics

Meanwhile, back at HQ, our 2’s hosted the Jersey Royals. The game featured an early kick off to accomodate the Islanders’ flights and was a real ‘Game of two halves’. Who came out on top? Read all about it here: Match report

Next week is the big one, with two massive home games. On pitch 1, our 1XV will take on Eastbourne, hoping to repeat their win earlier in the season, while on pitch 2, our 2’s host Newick as they strive to continue to climb the table!!

Eastbourne at Saint Hill is without doubt one of the best highlights of the season - Last years encounter living long in the memory. This match, coupled with the Cuba tour reunion lunch, guarantees a lively HQ on the touchline, so make sure you get up there ready to shout yourself horse for a 2pm KO!!!

AGE GROUP RUGBY
Junior rugby kicked off this weekend on Friday night with a mini festival 'under the lights'. This was the 1st time the club had hosted an evening fixture and it went off with a bang...literally!

Last weekend our U9s enjoyed an epic, double-dose of rugby!
On Friday, the Club hosted its first ever Friday Night Lights event with two squads of twelve competing against teams from Crawley, Burgess Hill and Horsham in a floodlit quick-fire mini tournament.

It was a cold and rainy night but that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the 85 players as they warmed up to a soundtrack of dance tunes before lining up and running out to ‘Enter Sandman’ by Metallica as a salvo of fireworks lit up the night sky above pitch 3. The game play was as competitive as it was muddy, as the players put on an impressive display of team work in both defence and attack. After their three matches, the boys formed a tunnel to clap each other off and then retired to the clubhouse for hot drinks and well-deserved medals to mark the event.

Feedback from all clubs involved and from parents was unanimously positive with many remarking that their young players were left ‘buzzing’ for the rest of the night. There is no doubt that this will become a regular fixture in the Club calendar from now on.

On Sunday, the U9s then travelled to Crawley RFC for another muddy session of drills and matches. The joint training sessions have become a real highlight with the mixed-club team matches really helping with player development and confidence and providing a real sense of a rugby community that is going from strength to strength. We now have two weeks of training at HQ to consolidate our skills as we move ever closer to our forthcoming festivals.

Following the excitement of Friday night, it was a quieter Sunday with the U7s, 8s and 9s travelling to Crawley for a joint training session and matches.

The U10s and 11s were due to host Crawley at home but sadly last minute change of plans at CRFC meant their teams could not travel so it was training at home for out players. CRFC U10s will visit us on 23rd February now.

It was a great morning for the U8s pairing up with their counterparts from CRFC. The session started with a number of activities with mixed teams of EG and Crawley to warm up the kids. As always there was an element of competition to the drill which both sets of players relished. The teams then split into 4 teams. 2 from EG and 2 from Crawley (with a few EG players on loan to hosts to even up numbers). The teams then ran a little round robin tournament so they could play against each other. There was some great play from all the teams with plenty of passing and mazy runs. There were also some wonderful defensive displays with some great last ditch try-saving tackles. Both sets of players enjoyed themselves and the rain stayed away for long enough to make it entertaining for the spectators too.

Our thanks to Crawley RFC for hosting us. We look forward to the return fixture. Next week all sections are at home with our U11s hosting Haywards Heath at HQ.

Our U15’s kept up thier excellent form with a hard earned 7 - 28 away win at Edenbridge - Well done lads!!

ASTRO HIRE
Looking for a venue to host your football/rugby party?

Look no further, we have it all at Saint Hill. Our pitch and facilities are perfect for your event, as we make sure we tailor the experience to suit you including our junior clubhouse which is a warm and friendly environment for your post game activities!

Interested? E-mail us at: events@egrfc.com or call the office on 01342 322338 and ask for Julie.

AN EDITORS APOLOGY
I have been contacted by Peter Brooks to point out that my reference to the ‘Five Ferns’ in last week’s issue is totally incorrect. The decoration in our crest are actually feathers (So obvious now Peter has brought it to my attention). Indeed the EG Grammar School Old Boys were called the Old Feathers!! For those interested, here is an article on the town crest: EG Crest

Thank you Peter. It will not happen again!

AGM
So many positive things are underway at Saint Hill, which makes it an exciting time to be a G’s member. Get the 11th July in your diary so we can get together, learn all about our future plans, vote for next years officials and have your say!

WIN ENGLAND v SCOTLAND TICKETS
Allianz understands that rugby is more than a sport, it’s a community, a culture and a way of life. It’s about supporting the moments that matter, both on and off the pitch. It’s about showing up, giving back and growing the game we all love. With every song, every cheer and every roar. Together, we can be the voice that raises England Rugby across all levels to reach new heights.

Join us at Allianz Stadium on Saturday 22 February for England to take on Scotland! We're giving away 2 tickets so for your chance to win click here: Win tickets

Together, we raise the roof!!

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!!