Brighton v G's

Off the back of three home wins last week, a much changed G’s side took on Brighton 2s in the final of the Bob Rogers Plate. G’s used the cup game to reward and promote players from the 2’s & colts that have played well this season.

Brighton started the game strongly, running their experienced backline at the Grinstead defence. G’s stood strong and, as the half progressed, started to get a foothold in the game with their own attack beginning to make yards. Unfortunately, neither team were able to take advantage and frustration started to creep in with penalties mounting.

With 25 minutes played, some mischief occurred and a yellow card was issued to both the Brighton 7 and Noo Noo, who was standing in for Ryland as Captain. Somehow Brighton decided their first yellow card wasn’t enough and on 27 minutes followed it up with another for back chat.

G’s were unable to take advantage of being a player up, and the game continued in a similar back and forth fashion. The half ended after a G’s error gave Brighton a chance to kick a goal. Whilst the kick barely crossed between the posts, it still sent Brighton in 3-0 up.

A positive and clear half time talk from the G’s coaching staff resulted in a galvanised Grinstead performance in the second half. G’s applied immediate pressure and within six minutes had the lead through a well worked interchange between backs and forwards, allowing Ali Yaffa to gallop home. Luke Maker added the extra 2.

The warnings were starting to mount up for Brighton. Repeated penalties for high tackles and infringements around the ruck gave G’s some excellent field position, the resulting play saw Aaron Boczek crash over the line on 50 minutes and the momentum was firmly moving in East Grinstead’s favour. The conversion successfully added again by Luke taking the score to 3-14.

The game took another twist on 55 minutes, as tensions rose, a frustrated Brighton team, who thought they should have been in control of this fixture, let their temper get the better of them. The resulting skirmish saw the Brighton 7 and G’s No.3 Dave Bridges, red carded.

With both teams having 14 on the pitch, there was more of an attacking intent, which suited Brighton and, following some determined carries from their heavy pack, a penalty was awarded and duly converted by the Brighton 10. At 20 minutes to go, with the score at 6-14, the game was starting to heat up!

Brighton were chasing the game and momentum was in their favour until, on 70 minutes, they received a harsh yellow for a deliberate knock on. Some quick thinking from G’s 9, Noah Roberts, resulted in an excellent attacking platform that Guy “Daisy” Collins benefitted from, allegedly scoring his first senior try for the club. The conversion missed but took G’s to a 6-19 margin.

With 5 minutes to play there was still time for Luke Maker to receive a yellow card for a deliberate knock on - the resulting penalty saw a quick tap from Brighton and, following some good carrying from their pack, a score next to the posts.

A small scuffle after the conversion saw another Brighton player sent to the bin.

Two minutes left to play, 13-19 on the scoreboard and G’s missed a penalty to put the game out of reach. Brighton capitalised and went the length of the field to score... only for the play to be brought back for a forward pass and the final whistle to blow on a frenetic end to the cup final.

Well done to the whole squad - a great achievement to secure some silverware for the club. G’s take this momentum into Saturday’s fixtures, Weybridge away for the 1s, whilst the 2s visit Littlehampton.

As a footnote, the editor wants to highlight the excellent, refreshing and professional captaincy of Noo, backed up by inspirational and innovitave coaching from Dan Poulton which made all the difference on the day! Well done to both you hero’s!!!!