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SENIOR RUGBY
Saturday was a Sussex cup day for our senior men. Both had been drawn against a team from higher in the league pyramid, so we knew it was going to be tough. First up were our 1XV who were hosting Hove in the semi finals of the Bob Rogers Cup. Within five minutes, we had scored a magnificent team try, the ball passing through multiple hands before a delightful pop inside found Connor running a perfect supporting line, who gratefully ran in unopposed under the sticks. Hove were a good side however and scored two good trys of their own, before a penalty from Luke cut their lead to four points at the break.

Hove were relentless and although G’s defended valiantly, they scored a couple more before a fantastic finish from Max brought the crowd to their feet once more. The game finished 15 - 32 but I think all who watched agreed that G’s played with heart, passion and a great deal of skill.

Our 2XV had been drawn away to Jersey Royals. This meant a 3am start and a lot of exhausted lads. Could they pull off a seismic shock and beat a team from our 1XV league? Click here to read the match report and find out: Match report

Next up were our Women who hosted Crowborough in a friendly on Sunday. What a game it was! Click here to read all about it: Match report

Follow this link to view all the pics: Match pics

Next weekend, all three teams are back to league action. Our 1XV face their toughest looking game of the season, as they travel to Pulborough - We need to win to stay top of the table. Our 2’s host Shoreham at 2pm and on Sunday, our Women welcome Uckfield. Please get to the club to support your teams if you can!

JUNIOR RUGBY
After another very wet week, it was great to be able to get out on Sunday for some training. Despite the wet and the mud, we were all able to complete our sessions and it was an enjoyable morning as the rain held off.

Our U10s were on their travels again. Last week they were at Horsham on the AGP

This was our players’ first full-on festival of the season and it took a couple of games to get used to the new level of speed and physicality in the game-play, but from then on they started hitting their stride. Effectiveness at the breakdown increased, passing and offloads improved and tackling just got better and better. Most importantly though, everyone had a huge amount of fun!

This weekend was a double header for the U10s.

On Friday we had 23 players at Crawley’s highly-anticipated Friday Night Lights. Our mighty U10s ran out to ‘Light Up The Sky’ by The Prodigy and a volley of fireworks, but the real entertainment was on the pitches. Cheered on by their damp, yet highly vocal parents, our players dug deep in the muddy conditions and really showed just how far their skills have improved this season. Ruck speed continues to increase, clear out and jackalling opportunities are more readily seized, attacking lines are becoming more direct and our offloads are now starting to find our support runners more and more. At this age, it’s not about winning or losing…..but if it was, our mini G’s would have had cause to be very happy as they were devouring their post-tournament hot dogs! All the coaches and parents were very proud of them!

On Sunday morning, our squad joined Haywards Heath RFC for some joint training and matches. This was a great opportunity for newer players to develop basic skills while some of the more confident players were able to test themselves in two mini matches in some very cold and wind-swept conditions. As usual, our U10s did not disappoint and treated our hosts to a dominant display of attacking rugby and solid defending which was a joy to watch.

Next week we have our annual friendly interclub fixture with our local rivals, Crawley. The U6s, 7s, 8s and 9s will be the hosts at Saint Hill whilst the 10s and 11s travel to Crawley.

INTERMEDIATE RUGBY
G’s U12 Blues 30 - Pulborough 10
As Sunday brought calm conditions, but very muddy underfoot on EG's pitch 3, the EG under-12's came out for their 3rd game in the league, looking for that illustrious first win. A tactical change from the coaches shifted playmaker lestyn to centre, giving Stan an opportunity to shine at 10. Iestyn kicked off proceedings, followed by an early knock on and the first of, what would be, many scrums on this wet pitch. A period of excellent passing through G's hands meant that the first 5 minutes was almost entirely spent in the Pulborough half. Following another scrum, this time with Pulborough putting in, lestyn tackled and dislodged the ball, before passing wide, only for the final pass to be dropped, leading to another scrum. With Pulborough distributing down the line from the scrum, the rapid fullback Thomas came out of nowhere for an interception at full pace which he continued until he was over the line for the G's first try.

The Pulborough restart was caught by Jonah and carried into traffic. Some great rucking by EG followed, with Justin putting his head down, taking the ball forward and making those hard yards up to halfway. Another scrum gave Pulborough the opportunity to show EG that they were no pushover and demonstrated some good running lines and angles. Yet another scrum at halfway led to a strong run by lestyn, collapsing into a ruck where Owen and the other G's forwards showed their clearing out skills. Having retained possession, Bobby continued the momentum and crashed over for the G's 2nd try.

The restart was caught by lestyn who gave it to Justin to drive through the Pulborough forward pack. Another scrum on halfway gave G's the chance to swap some forwards around, with Harry and Owen coming off for Jack and Francis. Pulborough had upped their game now and were camped in the G's half with a solid passage of play. At the next ruck, a superb clear out effort from Lucas led to a turnover ball. More rucks followed, and the G's knocked on again with the slippery ball, leading to a scrum to Pulborough. Good passing by Pulborough had them charging up the field, only to be stopped dead by an amazing tackle by Stan who was enjoying his new position on the field. However, the pressure was building and eventually Pulborough slipped through the G's defence and over the line for their 1st try.

Iestyn kicked long at the restart, which was dropped by the Pulborough fullback and Thomas pounced on the loose ball. A looping pass to lestyn let Beau loose on the wing, but Pulborough's defence were waiting. EG quickly moved the ball back to the centre with quick hands which released lestyn to step left and right and over for try number 3.

An injury to Pulborough's 9 caused a brief stoppage and a chance for the teams and supporters to take a breath! After the restart, we saw some great passing left and right by Pulborough, but they were stopped each time - often by Stan who was a tackling machine today. However, the pressure continued and resulted in a ruck 5 meters from the G's line. G's forward power showed as the ruck was turned over.

The 2nd half started with a Pulborough kick off, that was knocked on by G's resulting in yet another scrum. Some strong running up the left wing by Pulborough had try written all over it - until a fantastic try saving tackle by Murray. This was followed by a pod of 3 Pulborough forwards driving the ball on, before Harry stood in front of them like a wall. Clearly frustrated, Pulborough went to the air but fumbled the following catch and Luke was there to clear the G's line.

The next Pulborough passage involved some good passes that were eventually Intercepted by lestyn who gave it to the pack. More hard yards through the middle by Harry and Bobby resulted in Bobby's second try, and G's 4th. Following the restart, there was a flip flopping aspect to the game, with turnovers on each side, and an G's foul at the breakdown. At the next ruck Harry ripped the ball from the Pulborough forwards, nailing another turnover, and passing to the G's back line. Beau and Jonah were linking up well on the left wing, with Beau's runs ending in rucks which Jonah supported with clearouts. G's passing then got into gear as they move the ball the width of the pitch in seconds - enabling Bobby to score his hat-trick and G's 5th.

Following the restart, a dangerous charging run by Lucas was pulled back for an apparent knock on, leading to another scrum. A messy passage of play ended by Pulborough resorting to kicking the ball into the grey autumn skies - caught by Thomas deep in the G's half - and brilliantly run all the way to the other end - try number 6. The knock-on's and scrums continued, followed by a promising run by Beau who was eventually pushed into touch. Clearly not learning their lessons, another Pulborough kick was caught by lestyn and run strait back at them, supported by an energised forward pack, and with Luke out, the new scrum half Murray had distribution duties.

The final minutes of the game included Pulborough using their largest player as a battering ram, and a strong Lucas standing in their way stopping progress. Despite hard tackles from Francis and others, eventually those hard yards paid off for Pulborough as they edged over the G's line for the last try of the match.

A fantastic first league win for the EG U12 Blues - with the final score 30-10

Uckfield U12 35 - EG Reds 0
The East Grinstead U12 Red Team turned up today ready, focused and full of fighting spirit for what proved to be an excellent rugby session. From the very first whistle, the motivation and eagerness to play shone brightly across the muddy field. Communication was a real highlight. One particular voice (Fin) carried so clearly that it could be heard all the way from the café upstairs, where a number of parents had discreetly retreated to keep warm (and, of course, to secure a sneaky bacon and sausage sandwich). It was especially encouraging to see the boys putting their recent training into practice. Dummy runs were well executed, calls were loud and organised, and the team made great use of the wings - passing the ball out wide to open up space and drive forward. Congratulations as well to those who used the kick to regain valuable ground, it was a smart tactic and great to see growing confidence in decision making.

Although the Reds didn’t walk away with the win today, the pitch was still full of smiles afterwards and the arrival of the post-match Bolognese certainly helped - despite the mountain of hidden vegetables! And lastly, a huge well done to Morgan, who earned Man of the Match for his outstanding performance. A fully deserved recognition after a strong and committed display.

Great effort, Reds. Plenty to be proud of and lots to build on - roll on next week!

G’s U16 39 - Uckfield & Burgess Hill 14
On Sunday, EGRFC U16 team turned up & switched on. The East Grinstead boys ran rampant against a good, combined Uckfield & Burgess Hill team. In a hard, physical game, EGRFC stamped their mark from the beginning.

Harry showed such amazing speed Louis Rhys Zammit would be impressed. In the second half after EGRFC kicked close to the opposition’s try line, Harry made a 60m run through the Uckfield’s players like a fast motorcycle filtering through slow traffic, and he was playing second row! James made some of his customary brutal tackles stopping the opposition in their tracks and sometimes knocking them backwards eliciting cries of glee from the supporters. Our front row did an amazing job and pushed their pack back the allowed 1.5m, well done guys.

Again, this week, our kicker Alfie showed everyone how to score behind the posts to make it easier for the kicker… Sam ricocheted his way off numerous Uckfield players resulting in a surprising try. His confidence from that moment on was obvious as he charged, handed off, and attacked with gusto. Blake’s charges through the field were awesome, reminding me of a bull-like Scott Gibbs.

For the first time in the squad’s history, they were penalised with a penalty try awarded against them from repeated offsides on our line. The referee’s laser-like vision allowed him to see our toes edging past the back foot once too often.

Apologies that I didn’t name check all the superstars in this week’s game, we had a full squad of high achievers.

Tries by Harry, Bailey, Alfie, Sam, Jerome, Daniel & George
Conversions by Alfie x 2

Our U15’s also had a cracking result at home against Uckfield as they ran out 49 - 10 victors.

MATCHDAY LUNCH
After hosting over 90 for our last Matchday lunch, it’s time to book up for the next extravaganza!!

On Saturday 29th November, our 1XV will be welcoming Eastbourne 2’s and we would love to feed you before the game!!

Rumour has it that we may be seeing some old faces at Saint Hill as our Ladies are holding a reunion for former G’s players from the last 30 years. Join the fun and book your ticket here: Lunch tickets

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!
We are sending out an urgent plea to our rugby family!
Our grounds staff work so hard to maintain our playing surfaces, but recently have struggled to find the time to attend to the pitches due to a load of seasonal jobs, like sweeping the leaves from the carpark and clearing mud from our pathways. We are desperate to release them to get back to what they are good at. If you have an hour or so and can lift a broom or brush you are so valuable to us. Please send us a message at: operations@egrfc.com if you can help.

Joining our volunteer family does have its perks!! East Grinstead RFC Board are excited to invite all our wonderful volunteers, and their other halves, to a meal on Wednesday 10th December to thank you for the amazing work you put in. Menu options are being explored as we speak, so if you volunteer with us, save the date and watch this space for more details!!

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!

1st Prize, Ticket No. 55 - Gerry McClean - £125
2nd Prize, Ticket No. 20 - Tom Byron - £50
3rd Prize, Ticket No. 9 - Dan Arnold - £25

Well done to all our winners! You might take note that playing member Tom Byron has won AGAIN for the second consecutive month, proof that for a £5 monthly fee that joining the 200 Club is a worthwhile venture!

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 of how to join the “200 Club” click here: 200 Club or email: colin.byron.uk@gmail.com

SOCIAL DATES
20th December - Christmas Jumper Match day Lunch (1XV face Ditchling after)
Click here for your tickets: https://buytickets.at/egrfc/1938829

20th December - Adults Christmas Party featuring live music by Deadwoodz
Click here for your tickets: https://buytickets.at/egrfc/1935846

14th 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!!