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SENIOR RUGBY
It was hugely frustrating to have Saturday’s second team fixture against Worthing called off late in the week, due to the oppo not being able to field a team. We at least get the points and march on. Our 1XV were left to carry the weight of expectation as they traveled to Brighton to take on their 2’s. How did they get on? Click here to find out: Match report

To view Ben’s pics of the game, please follow this link: Match pics

On Sunday, our Ladies traveled to local rivals, Crawley. Always a tricky place to go, our ladies showed real grit but couldn’t quite get over the line, the final scoreboard showing 29 - 19. To see all the pics, click here: Match pics

Next weekend all our senior teams have a rest week. The 1XV had been due to host a tasty looking cup fixture against Surrey side, Old Haileyburians. However the trip to Saint Hill obviously looked too daunting and we have been given the win and a place in the third round of the Papa Johns Cup. Twickers here we come!!!!

JUNIOR RUGBY
It was a quiet weekend at the club with 3 of our sections away at festivals. The 9s and 10 had full compliments improving skills ready for their next outings. The 5s and 6s were back after a rare away trip readying themselves for the upcoming visit of Edenbridge on 9th November.

U7
Like London buses, we waited six weeks for our first festival, only to be fortunate enough to have another one this weekend. This time, the imperious East Grinstead U7s ventured to our neighbours at Crawley RFC.

Crawley RFC hosted a fabulous tournament and were exceptionally accommodating, as we managed to enter three teams just a few days before the festival — huge thanks to them!

Back to the rugby...We’ve been busy in the transfer market and secured the signing of Austin, who joined the ranks and put on a great display in his first outing. Alongside the formidable Albie, Finley, Henry, Ivy, Jacob, Louis, Luca, Ollie, Roman, Thea, and Zach, the U7s were back at it once again — passing backwards, running forwards (sometimes the other way round), and scoring lots of tries. One thing’s for sure, their enthusiasm, camaraderie, and energy make them a joy to watch.

Mother Nature tested our resolve this week. The rain held off for the first part of the morning, and parents started to wonder if our ridiculously good weather fortune was to continue. It did not.

That, however, didn’t stop this team. Big performances against Worthing, Crawley, Uckfield, Horsham, and Hove — with Gs players chopping and changing teams to ensure we fulfilled all our fixtures was further evidence of the team spirit we’ve forged. Our energy in the U7s is unwavering, and the improvement in our skills and rugby knowledge is clear, as our gameplay has come on leaps and bounds. We’re looking forward to continuing this throughout the season.

November brings more excitement as we host Edenbridge and Crawley on the 9th and 23rd, respectively.
Until then, repeat after me: “Run forwards... pass backwards... run forwards... pass backwards.”

U11
The U11s travelled to the south coast this weekend for the Eastbourne festival. The forecast had an ominous end the extended dry spell we have been enjoying. With the clouds gathering we actually arrived to some sunshine.

After a clean sweep at Horsham last weekend, the unbeaten record was on the line.

First to face the G’s was Brighton. Our team were straight into it and with some great play notched up win number 6.

Crowborough were next in line. The G’s stepped it up again and ran away with this one taking us to 7 unbeaten.

The toughest games were left to last with Haywards Heath up next. Fast rucks and great defensive pressing made for another comfortable win.

Onto Uckfield. A well disciplined team with some mazy runners was going to make this hard. The boys had put everything on the line for the first 3 games so there were some tired bodies out there. To make the task a little harder, the forecasted rain came down.

This was indeed the toughest test but the boys rose to it. Some phenomenal tackling and big counter rucks kept us in the fight. Despite some desperate kicking we came away with a 2 all draw.

We remain unbeaten! Both coaches were super proud of the effort of every member of the team. They all played their socks off. We still need to look for those passes but our ruck speed is great and we’re also earning turnovers with strong counter rucks. Most of the day we were decent as keeping our shape and resetting from the breakdown. They are all eager to listen and learn now which is making for incremental improvements.

Team - Seb, Harry, Jude, Erikas, Hadley, Ollie, Finley, Owen, Mattie, Nate, Bradley, Cassius

Our thanks to the parents again for the help they always give and their unwavering support. Our smart new gazebo definitely paid for itself too complete with our own security to stop uninvited guests!

INTERMEDIATE RUGBY
U12 Blues 0 - Hove 30
Guts & Grit: A Scoreline That Doesn't Tell the Whole Story
Our U12 Blue Team launched their home league season against a formidable and highly-rated Hove side, in a match that showcased incredible heart and skill. With a couple of changes, Elliott on the wing and Francis bringing strength to the pack - both making debuts for the Blue’s.

Following a narrow loss to Brighton in their previous fixture, a palpable sense of determination filled the air. This team wasn't just here to play; they were here to make a statement.

From the first whistle, it was clear a special performance was unfolding. The opening 15 minutes were a breathtaking display of scintillating, end-to-end rugby. Hove’s powerful pack found themselves repeatedly matched and contained by the organised G's forwards: Owen, Justin, Bobby, Lucas, Harry, and Francis. Every single one of them put in a tireless, powerhouse performance, crashing the ball forward and fiercely contesting every ruck.

At scrum-half, Luke's distribution was crisp and precise, setting fly-half Iestyn up to command the game. The ball moved swiftly through the hands of the backs—Thomas, Jonah, Stan, Beau, and Elliott. Iestyn masterfully called the plays, immediately hitting his stride, while Stan and Jonah tore through the opposition with fabulous, hard-hitting lines. Thomas was exceptional under the high ball, brilliantly collecting Hove's clearance kicks as Beau and Elliott relentlessly attacked down the wings. It was, without a doubt, the finest U12 rugby any of the coaches had witnessed.

Despite their dominance and deserving to be at least two tries ahead, the try line remained frustratingly elusive for G's. Hove's defence held on by a thread, and deep into the first half, against the run of play, they found space out wide to score. Visibly shocked, the G's side’s resolve wavered for a moment, and Hove capitalised, running in two more tries before the break to take the score to 0-15. It was a cruel twist to end a half they had so clearly dominated and, with their confidence boosted, Hove had found a game plan that worked against a spirited but tiring G's side.

The second half saw G's fight back with renewed vigour. They battled hard, with Iestyn, Jonah, and Stan especially continuing to make brilliant inroads through the middle of the park. However, Hove’s defensive line remained resolute, providing the platform for them to add three more tries.

The match ended with East Grinstead U12 nil and Hove having scored 30 points
but that scoreline fails to capture the story of the day. It was a truly fabulous performance from our U12s. To a man, they should be immensely proud of an effort that left all the U12 coaches beaming with pride.

G’s man of the match (as chosen by Hove): Iestyn

Uckfield & Burgess Hill 12-East Grinstead 25
In a thrilling game on Sunday 12th, East Grinstead U16, supported by Edenbridge, beat U/BH in a tale of two halves.
Slow to get going, East Grinstead conceded points in the first half to a side who started well and showed impressive levels of confidence in their lineouts and scrums. But, as we’re beginning to expect, at half time, the sun shone more brightly, the birds started singing and EG came out a different side, somewhat literally, with our own bomb squad taking to the pitch with much to prove. South Africa would have been proud with the turn around.

The shift in gear in the second half was incredible. By the end of the 70 minutes, EG had scored five tries to U/BH’s two. It was a hard-fought game with tempers marginally better controlled than last week. Much of the praise should be to whoever ran the strength & fitness sessions over the summer which has resulted in EG’s U16 team’s customary domination over their opponents in the second half, but a mention should also go to all the warriors who scored and supported the ball carriers.

Our tackling, jackalling, clearing out and clearance kicks were genuinely entertaining. Try scorers this week were Issac, Harvey, George, Alfie & James., well done.

Sunday’s game was a great display of coming back from behind and many in the team could have been selected, but this week’s man of the match went to Blake. The number of times I had to answer questions from parents and coaches about who’s that tackling, who’s that running with the ball etc etc and me having to repeat Blake’s name was getting excessive.

Colts
EGRFC Colts 38 - Heathfield & Waldron Colts 17
After a long pre-season and a couple of postponed fixtures it was time for G’s Colts to get their season underway at long last as we welcomed Heathfield to Saint Hill. Unsurprisingly the weather decided to change and after months of sunshine the heavens opened just as the teams took to the field for their warm up. This is a step up for many of the boys in their first year of Colts rugby and it was great to see a good turn out on the clubhouse balcony to welcome the lads for the first time this season.

The first 10 minutes were a cagey affair, dominated by both defences. It was clear from the off what the Heathfield game plan was, with their big lads up front hitting the ball up and their 10 using his boot to try and pin G’s in their own half. Unfortunately, they underestimated our attacking ability and a wayward kick gave Ben Marelli the opportunity to counter from our own 22. Slick handling and a ridiculous turn of pace from 2nd row (or should that be winger?!) Tom Kennedy led to the first try of the season under the sticks, converted by Conor Sullivan.

More was to come straight from the kick off, with a quick catch and recycle into midfield and number 8 Aaron taking a brilliant short line from Conor and making the most of some lacklustre Heathfield defence, dotting down under the posts for the second try.

Good lineout pressure deep in the 22 led to a wayward kick that allowed Ben Slingsby and Conor to attack into midfield. The forwards rucked well and Will Longstaff at scrum half noticed the Heathfield defence wasn’t set and dummied from the base, accelerating into space and scored under the posts for the 3rd try of the half.
Some great tactical kicking pinned Heathfield back in their own half and another loose kick by their 10 allowed Aaron and Ben M the opportunity to attack and put them on the back foot. From the resulting ruck Olly, our replacement scrum half, did a scarcely believable 20m pass that cut out most of the Heathfield defence putting Aaron in for his 2nd in the corner, converted by Ben S with a great kick from out wide.
A brilliant first half was topped off by some unbelievable goal line defence holding up Heathfield to go into half time 28-0 up and the try bonus already secured.

The second half continued in the same vein, with G’s putting huge amounts of pressure on Heathfield. Another jinking run from Will off the back of a lineout led to a great position and the forwards picked from the base, driving over for a great try by Tyler. It seemed as though the game could run away from Heathfield but a well-placed kick led to a penalty deep in Gs 22 and passive defence against their rampaging 8 from a tap and go resulted in their 1st try. This sparked Heathfield into life and some poor discipline gave them territory, with their scrum half replicating ours, sniping and the from the ruck and going over. G’s decided they’d had enough of that, and pressed hard which led to Harvey Seal taking a great line through the centre to break through. He used his pace, size and the most outrageous goose step ever seen at Saint Hill to power over the Heathfield line and score in the corner.

The last play of the match saw a bizarre try for Heathfield; a G’s lineout deep in our own 22 went awry and the ball was flung back in goal which Heathfield happily pounced on to score. Shortly after, the final whistle was blown with G’s winning 38-17.

This was a great first performance for the team. The boys have been training with the seniors for the past few months and you can really see the benefits paying off, with the attack, in particular, being outstanding. You know it’s been a good day when Ryland hasn’t got much to say in the post match huddle….!

G’s now march onto their next fixture, a home game against Hastings in a fortnights time, full of optimism for the season ahead.
Well played to all the lads and, as always, thanks for the support from parents and friends.

SUNSHINE 7’s MATCH DAY LUNCH
Saturday 8th November is going to be an amazing day at the club. Our Sunshine 7’s presentation lunch is always well attended and this year will be no different. We will be inviting all the charities that we support and many other dignitaries to the day.

All this and our 1XV will be hosting Lewes which will be a cracker. As an even bigger bonus to make the day even better, England will be taking on Fiji at 5.40. What a day!! To book your seat, click here: Matchday Lunch

200 CLUB
October Draw
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!

1st Prize, Ticket No.20 - Tom Byron - £125
2nd Prize, Ticket No.34 - Rick Blackwell - £50
3rd Prize, Ticket No.51 - Malcolm Higinson - £25

Well done to all our winners!

Could all winners please send their banking details, if not previously sent 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.

For details in joining the “200 Club” visit: 200 Club or email: colin.byron.uk@gmail.com

AGP UPDATE
In case you missed our Artificial Grass Pitch Update, please click here for the latest info and how you can help: AGP update

SOCIAL DATES
31st October - Children's Halloween Party, 2.30 - 4.30pm
To book your ticket, click here: Childrens Halloween

1st November - Halloween fancy dress "Dead celebrities" & Disco 7pm onwards
To book your ticket, click here: Halloween Party

7th November - Curry & Quiz Night
To book your ticket, click here: Quiz Night

14 & 15th November Christmas Fayre (14th, 5pm - 7.30 15th, 9am - midday)

20th December - Adults Christmas Party

21st December - Childrens Christmas Party

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!!