After a long summer break and a disjointed pre-season, East Grinstead started their title defence with an away fixture against Lewes; a game that promised to be a physical endeavour.

Having won the toss and elected to kick the G’s started spritely by quickly turning the ball over. However, after a few rusty mistakes within the first 5 minutes, Lewes retained the ball and mounted an attack.

It wasn’t long before the blue and white wall won it back and after some beautiful handling skills moving the ball from one touchline to the other and back again, John Peaty crossed the whitewash for the first try of the season.

With their tails up the G’s found their groove with the forwards giving the backs a platform to perform. Strong carries from Jake Radcliffe, Ryan Morlen and Max Crawley-Moore leading to tries for George Johnson and Ryan. Closely followed by a well-worked catch and drive to result in the natural poacher Sam Lindsay-McCall to score.

The next 10 minutes was a chance for the G’s to practice their defensive structure as Lewes tried to find a way to break the line. In trying to move the point of attack they opened the door for Ryan Morlen to intercept and score his second of the day.

Heading into half time Lewes frustrations were rising and the ruck became a hectic and unsafe environment with players from both sides contesting to win procession.

Half time Lewes 0 – 35 East Grinstead with Dan Poulton having successfully converted all tries.

Having been promised a more consistent ruck environment, G’s spent the first 10 minutes of the second half under scrutiny at the breakdown and pinned in their own half with plenty of penalties going Lewes’ way. Despite some strong defence Lewes found a way to cross over for their only score of the day.

This put the fire in the hearts of the G’s and with the pack dominating the set piece, allowing the pace of play to increase across the park. Tries coming from John Peaty, Max Crawley-Moore, Pete Morley and George Johnson.

G’s put Lewes to the sword for the final 10 minutes with some fantastic carries from number 8, Arron Boczek, making great yards down the field. Resulting in two well worked backs’ moves from set pieces seeing Ryan Morlen complete his inevitable hat-trick and Max Crawley-Moore trundle over for his second, converting with his first drop-goal after ‘Mr Consistent’ Dan Poulton came off with a calf injury.

A cracking start to the title defence campaign with an away win 69-7. If East Grinstead had been more clinical, it could’ve been much more.
Uckfield at home next week, onwards.