G’s bounce back against Heath

After suffering defeat in their last two games, East Grinstead faced local-rivals Haywards Heath in a must-win grudge match. November rainfall had softened the ground and combined with the additional wind, the game was designed for forwards.

G’s kicked off deep in the hopes of using the wind to keep Heath stuck inside their half, but the home side did well to gather and shift the ball early with a few upfront carries against the grain to make yards over the gain line. Heath ran hard but G’s defence held strong. However despite a serious injury to prop Devon Frost, play was allowed to continue and with the extra man it wasn’t long before Heath found some space to cross over the whitewash for the first points of the afternoon. Comfortably adding the conversion to go 7-0 up with only 5 minutes gone.

The following 15 minutes were shaky as G’s slumped under the initial pressure, Heath managing to force errors from EG and eventually managing to win a penalty infront of the posts to increase their lead to 10-0 after 20 mins.

Sometimes in sport it can be one individual act that ignites a change in attitude and in this game it was EG number 8, Aaron Boczek, catching the kick off, crashing through the line. Although the offload was forward, G’s won the resulting scrum against the head, driving Heath back to allow the man that started the fightback to pick up from the base and score under the posts. Old Billin slotting the 2 to make it 10-7.

G’s now had a change of mindset and the momentum had swung in their favour, along with the rub of the green. Strong carries from the forwards and pinpoint kicking from Dan Poulton and Oli Billin put G’s in a good position on the field and allowed the EG backs to do what they do best. Tries from wingers Joe Terry and Ali Moffat just before the half put G’s in a good spot.

Halftime. Haywards Heath 10 - 19 East Grinstead

In the previous two games, East Grinstead had been up at half time and failed to keep the patterns of play and intensity for the full 80 mins. There were a few stern words at half time from the coaches and captain to ensure there wasn’t a third collapse.

G’s started the second half in the way they finished the first; strong carries from the forwards, superb set pieces and quick hands from the backs to push Heath back and force the error leading to a penalty after 5 mins of play. Oli Billin adding to his tally to take the score to 10 - 22 to EG.

Heath pushed back with runners of their own to put the EG defence under pressure and win a yellow card for scrum half, George Johnson, after a high tackle incident. After putting themselves in a good position, they now faced 10 mins without a player. This is a position that G’s have been in previously (Eastbourne away) and looked like they had learned from because over the 10 minute period G’s secured their ball, kept their heads and tackled hard in defence. No points conceded with a man down felt like a victory in itself.

Shortly after the return of George to the pitch East Grinstead put together some excellent, patient rugby to se Ryan Morlen score, Oli Billin converting to make to 29-10 to EG.

Health showed superb resolve and put themselves in a good position to score after a kick over the top for their winger to collect and be 1 on 1 with his opposite man…only for the referee to blow up for an on field incident that resulted in a player from each side to be sin binned.

Having identified a way through, Heath produced almost a carbon copy of the previous chip over the top for the Heath winger to collect and narrowly score. Conversion made it 29-17 with 10 minutes left on the clock.

Game management was now very important (and an area of improvement for East Grinstead). G’s kicked into the corners against the wind, tackled ruthlessly and secured their ball well. Two more penalties from Oli Billin put EGRFC out of sight.

Full Time. Haywards Heath 17 - 35 East Grinstead.

A great game to end the drought. Thank you to Haywards Heath for the hospitality, we look forward to hosting you in March for the return fixture.

G’s now have a tough fixture next week away at Uckfield.

Onwards.