Seaford away is usually associated with sideways rain, gale force winds and bitter, bitter cold. Late October 2022 provided quite the opposite for the travelling East Grinstead side with sunshine, 18 degrees and a gentle sea breeze floating across the firm pitch.

An almost unchanged G’s squad faced a rather different looking Seaford side, with their usual number 8 standing in the fly-half role.

East Grinstead kicked off expecting a very physical afternoon and they weren’t wrong, Seaford looked to exploit the fringes with heavy carry after heavy carry. The first 10 mins of the game were back and fourth with both sides knocking the ball on multiple times. East Grinstead forwards carried well and them some quick hands pulling the ball back saw Jake Radcliffe cross over for East Grinstead to put their noses in front.

Under some pressure the Seaford frustration was evident on the pitch and even on the side-lines too. Directing this at the referee ended up with a yellow card for one of the Seaford players. After missing a penalty kick, G’s capitalised quickly and Ryan Morlen scored in the corner.

Having found the pain point East Grinstead backs laid waste to Seaford seeing Jack and Ryan add another try each and Ben Beard scoring just before the half, Joe Terry adding the conversion.

Half time. Seaford 0 – 27 East Grinstead.

Second half resumed and East Grinstead dropped straight back into their working formula; carrying hard with the forwards and then exploiting the space in the backline.

Jake, Ben and Ryan all completing their hat-tricks and Jake even managed a fourth. Sam Spriddell doing an excellent job of converting 4 of the 5 tries scored.

Seaford, not to be disheartened or beaten worked hard to feed off the mistakes made by East Grinstead. A little complacency and some silly penalties gave Seaford the platform to mount physical attacks of their own, resulting in three classic forwards’ tries.

A very mature win away at Seaford, and a win to put East Grinstead back to top of the table on points difference over Eastbourne.

G’s face Burgess Hill at home next week to continue their unbeaten campaign. Onwards.