In a week darkened by terrible news, G’s travelled away to play the only team that had beaten them at home this season, Pulborough.

Pulborough had suffered a huge loss during the week as one of their players, Finley Pitt, had tragically died in a car accident on his way home from Thursday night training.

A huge amount of respect goes out to Pulborough for going ahead with the game under some horrendous circumstances. Both teams had won emphatically the week before, so it had all the makings of a great game.

Pulborough started the game with the better energy and as perfectly as you could of wanted a team to start…gathering the kick off and putting phases together, strong carries and good expansive passing lead to the first score of the day with the conversion added made it 7-0 to the home side after just 2 minutes of play.

Perhaps a bit of a wakeup call for East Grinstead that this was going to be a tough game. They kicked off into the wind and up the hill once again, this time with a better chase and cohesive defensive line.

The continued pressure from East Grinstead defensive line deep in the Pulborough half lead to 2 yellow cards in 2 mins from Pulborough players, which opened the door for the G’s backline to put on a show. Tries from Sam Spriddell, Ethan Carrick and Jake Radcliffe within 8 minutes of play, plus the conversions made it 7-19 to EG.

Back to a full complement of players and using the advantage of the hill and the wind, Pulborough worked their way down the pitch and scored their second try with conversion.

Halftime. Pulborough 14-19 East Grinstead.

The first 10 minutes of the second half were fraught and highly competitive. Tempers boiled and Sean Morgan (who should know better) was also shown a yellow card. Could this be the start of the G’s crumble?

Facing an oncoming Pulborough attack, the ball spilled out of a ruck and Jordan Walker, showing that he used to play in the backs, managed to get a foot to it and darted off down the pitch after it. G’s players flooding through to support, resulting in Ethan Carrick finding his way over the line again with another Oli Billins conversion. 14-26 to EG.

Shortly after Sean Morgan returned to the field Connor Leggat was shown a yellow card for a high tackle to keep the G’s players down to 14 and the pressure on.

Despite the pressure, the use of the wind and the hill in the second half of the game allowed East Grinstead to take control of the game, winning another yellow card for Pulborough and three kickable penalties, run down the clock and extend the lead.

Full time. Pulborough 14 – 35 East Grinstead

From one side that has suffered terrible loss to another, big thanks go out to Pulborough for the hospitality and for going ahead with the game.

It can take a long time to heal from a loss like that and the best way through is to be there for each other, communicate and open the supporting lines. Hearing your club captain’s speech after the game we can see you already have. Enjoy the rest of the season, looking forward to welcoming you back soon.

G’s have a week off next weekend and then face Haywards Heath in the last home game of the season on 4th March.

Onwards.