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.

A strange RRU this week as most of the week’s planned rugby was washed out. However, don’t dispair, there are a few bits and pieces to keep you going. In particular, please make sure you are booked in for the Christmas events in the articles below, the Jumper lunch is always brilliant and the club party sounds fantastic!

SENIOR RUGBY
No rugby last week to report on but this weekend looks tasty!
On Saturday, our 1XV travel to Crawley while our 2’s host Haywards Heath. While on Sunday, our Women welcome Worthing to Saint Hill. Your support would be very welcome!

AGE GROUP RUGBY
Sunday 7th - It seems to be that time of year again when the weather fully turns against us. A solid week of rain made many of our playing surfaces unplayable. With the forecast for Sunday predicting more rain, it was decided to cancel all sessions except those where fixtures had already been arranged.

The U5/6s went ahead as usual on the astro and a good session was enjoyed by all. Whilst up on the new P4 which seemed to be holding out, the U7s decided to proceed with their plans with a joint session with Crowborough...

What a Sunday at EGRFC - the mighty U7s hosted our wonderful new friends Crowborough for a festive cracker. Through the marshlands of Pitches 2 and 3, both sets of parents and children emerged to the hallowed surface on pitch 4, soon to be renamed Under7Heaven. Pitch 4 is seemingly immune to a week of non-stop rain and a perfect surface allowed some wonderful rugby. As is tradition when we have guests, our passing game for the coveted ‘Golden Ball’ was played and the coaches once again salvaged a win from the jaws of defeat. Their dignity remains intact.

Then onto the match-play, nearly 30 children played some brilliant running rugby in some not so brilliant rainy conditions. If it rained continually for 60 mins, you would not know based on the energy, smiles and quality of rugby on show. For avid readers of the u7 rugby reports - Ive said before, that things have clicked in our gameplay, they’re now firmly locked in. Talk of ‘run forward pass backwards’ are a distant memory. We are now focussing on defending as a unit and in attack, we are supporting and finding space to do our favourite…try scoring.

Fin, Harris, Henry, Jacob, Luca, Luka, Louis, Oliver, Ollie, Roman, Sam, Stan, Thea and Zach were great sports this week and should be proud of their effort, ability and great attitudes.

Also a big thank you to the club for allowing u7s to play this weekend. And full credit to our parents, who were no doubt thrilled when the whatsapp “we’re on” came through. Rugby has a unique and brilliant ability to make being in rain covered in mud seem completely normal and long may that continue…

Elsewhere, the U10s were away for joint training with Uckfield on their local AGP. The relentless drizzle wasn’t enough to dampen the spirits of our young players as they got stuck into drills focussing on passing, attacking/defending and the breakdown, before heading into a fast-paced match. Tackling and our support lines are improving every week now, and we’re all excited for the next part of the season.

Festive fun awaits on Sunday before we all head into the Christmas break. Next weekend is the annual Junior section festive weekend. Following a xmas themed session, the club will be laying on some festive fun in the clubhouse for the boys and girls. It will be lovely to have a full clubhouse so please come along.

Heathfield U14’s 22 - G’s 59
On Sunday we travelled to a very wet and windy Heathfield for our game which we were, unfortunately, unable to play at home. After an initial period of slightly sloppy hands following the kick off, Heathfield managed to keep hold of the ball and then played a fair amount of the early game inside East Grinstead’s 22 venturing into the 5 on a couple of occasions. The EG defence stood strong, however, and, having secured the ball, displayed their dominance taking the ball confidently down the whole pitch for Jack F to go over to open the scoring for EG which he then also successfully converted. Following the restart, EG swiftly took control again and, through the use of quick hands, were able to get past Heathfield for Jack to go over again with another try and conversion.

Following a further restart and another show of good hands, the ball made it out wide for Lorcan to set the ball for Jack to go over for his hat-trick, carefully placing the ball behind the centre of the posts. Having set himself up, Jack then completed another successful conversion taking EG to 21 points. Heathfield then took advantage of some poor EG handling and rucking, resulting in them being awarded a penalty. This was quickly taken and Heathfield opened their account, scoring in the corner only to fail to convert.

EG restarted with a challenging kick which was not well gathered - this resulted in us being able to get the ball out wide to Billy who went over to score - unfortunately we were unable to convert. The early excitement was then followed by some periods of play where both teams struggled with a slippery ball, resulting in a number of knock-ons by both teams and giving EG a chance to prove their dominance in the scrum. Heathfield, however, held their nerve and finally managed to keep hold of the ball long enough to break through our defence to score but failing to convert.

The second half was restarted with an absolute stinger of a kick which was immediately knocked on by Heathfield. EG swiftly took the advantage and set up Jack to go over to score yet again. The restart went our way again with the ball finding its way out to George S who ran straight before scoring in the corner - which against wind and rain could not be converted. Heathfield then found themselves the winners in the slippery ball contest which resulted in them being awarded a 5m scrum. Despite having having been pushed backwards, their scrum half somehow managed to retrieve the ball and Heathfield went over to score, following this up with a successful conversion.

The game carried on in pretty much the same way until the ref blew time with Jack and Billy scoring another try each, both of which Lorcan converted and Heathfield finishing in style and scoring the final try of the game. Final score Heathfield 22 - East Grinstead 59.

All the coaches and parents were incredibly proud of the way the boys performed and, thankfully, it made standing in the mud, wind and rain worthwhile. It was a great team effort that was played in good spirits by all.

Only one other game was played, as our Colts had a tough encounter against Jersey, the Channel Islanders running out 0 - 40 winners in the mud.

CHRISTMAS JUMPER LUNCH
After the last two packed pre-match lunches at the club, it’s time to go bigger still for our famous Christmas Jumper Lunch. Grab the most beautiful Christmas Jumper you can find and book your seat for the 20th December. We will enjoy a sumptious festive feast before enjoying the 1XV taking on Ditchling.

To grab your ticket to this unmissable event, click here: Club Christmas party lunch

TIM CHAPMAN
Just a quick reminder that Tim’s funeral is taking place on the 17th December at The Sussex and Surrey Crematorium at 1.30pm. The wake will be held at the club afterwards.

I believe Tim will be buried in his club colours, so we would love to see as many Blazers at the ceremony as possible.

CLUB CHRISTMAS
This year we are having two festive party’s at the club. The first is our Childrens Christmas Party on the 14th December. This will be a wonderful time after training, from 11.30am - 2pm. Rumours of presents for all, games and dancing, are circulating!!! If you feel you could help Julie with the smooth running of this event on the day, please contact her at: julie.mason@egrfc.com

The second party is for the whole club and is on the 20th December. It would be fantastic to see you there. Please click here for all the details: Club Christmas party 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!!