The last time East Grinstead played Burgess Hill was on the final day of last season, where they completed their undefeated season and won the league title in a dramatic away fixture.

This time it was a bolstered Burgess Hill side travelling to East Grinstead and they were still looking for the same outcome…to put an end to the undefeated G’s season.

G’s received the kick off and started spritely and took control of the game with forward carries and out of the back passing from the back line. After a well worked forward catch and drive maul from a line out, G’s saw themselves 5-0 through the help of Birthday Boy Connor Leggat.
The next 10 minutes was scrappy; penalties, knock-on’s and plenty of mistakes from both sides. However it was scrum half George Johnson who settled the game with a score of his own in true sneaky scrum half fashion. G’s now understanding the flow of the game quickly added a third before the half from Devon Frost (MOTM), fourth from Oli Adams and fifth from Ali Moffat.

Half time. East Grinstead 27 – 0 Burgess Hill

The second half saw a shift in the game plan of the frustrated Burgess Hill side, as they stopped attempting to play rugby and merely focus on the physical side of the game. With a large penalty count rising, the referee had two or three clear opportunities to take control of the game and provide Burgess Hill with red cards and ensure player safety…

Despite the lack of control in the game, the physicality and the undercurrent of foul play, East Grinstead continued with their game plan and pushed Burgess Hill across the pitch forcing errors through their strong defence and cutting them open in attack to score try after try.
Second half scores from Ryan Morlen (2), Ali Moffat and a fantastic solo try from George Johnson. Ollie Adams adding 4 conversions.
With 3 minutes left on the clock Burgess Hill mounted one final attack and through some wild kicking errors in the backfield found a way to muscle over for their only score of the day.

Final Score. East Grinstead 53 – 5 Burgess Hill.

In a game where it would’ve been easy to drop the level of quality East Grinstead showed strong resilience and strength to stay on course and continue their undefeated run.

Next week sees a top of the table clash with Eastbourne in, what promises to be, a physical affair.
Onwards.