Old Walcountians v G's

East Grinstead entered the away fixture with confidence on high, after defeating Kingston at home the week before, but wary of a team that narrowly lost to Old Tiffs this season.

G’s kicked off in the autumn sunshine in the hopes of nabbing an away win, selecting to kick deep and push Old Walts to play out from their own 22. The kicking game, an ever growing feature of the game, played an integral part of the opening 10 mins with both teams aiming to play rugby in the oppositions half.

However it was the home team that struck first with their winger dancing down the touchline and evading tackles to eventually score under the posts. Conversion made 7-0 to Old Walts.

G’s kicked off with intent and immediately won a penalty, which was kicked to touch and allow the first red-zone attack from the line out. After a perfectly worked set piece move, Connor Leggat was held up over the line, goal line drop out to Old Walts.

The next 10 minutes was all East Grinstead, with strong carries and good field position EG won penalty after penalty in the opponents 22. Despite the penalty count rising and some suggestion to the referee, no yellow card(s) was shown for repeated infringements. With Old Walts defence holding strong and no sign of assistance from the ref, 3 points were taken by Oli Billins. 7-3 to Old Walts

G’s, with wind in their sails, took the kick off and set-off downfield with their sights on a try. They didn’t have to wait very long as a minute later, after some excellent running from Jake Radcliffe, Harry White scored for a second time this season. Conversion missed. 7-8 to East Grinstead.

A couple of minutes remained on the clock and Old Walts tried a short, quick kick off but it didn’t make the yards. Scrum centre field to EG, which saw number 8 Aaron Boczek stride off down the pitch but eventually the ball found touch.

With time essentially up on the half, Old Walts found another gear and zipped the ball around the park to find space on the outside and score at the death of halftime.

Halftime. Old Walts 14 – 8 East Grinstead

The second half started slowly for EG with Old Walts looking to put the game to bed, crashing carries from their forwards, left then right to create the space out wide for them to score after 3 minutes played.

Unfortunatley, Old Walts were now significantly on the front foot and G’s were not adapting quick enough to the style of play. Deploying the same strategy, Old Walts crossed the whitewash once more via a penalty try. Harry White given a yellow card for a high tackle on the player scoring.

28 – 8 to Old Walts.

The next 20 minutes were tight with both teams looking to get a foothold in the game, G’s scrum was dominant and tackles were flying in thick and hard.

A well worked catch and drive maul brought East Grinstead back into the game with 15 mins left to play. Dave Bridges scoring and then a few mins later, some sloppy defensive work at the breakdown gave G’s a penalty in front of posts and another 3 points by Oli Billin made it 28 – 18 with 12 mins left.

Despite some excellent work on the field, a well worked set piece backs move carved up the G’s defence and gave them their 5th try of the game.

East Grinstead are a team that plays for 80 mins and even though the game was lost, still strode to finish on a high. Ryland Thomas scurried his way over the line for a score at full time.

Final score. Old Walcoutians 34 – 25 East Grinstead.

A hard fought game but 0 points taken away from this game.

G’s now face Old Cranleighans at home on 4th November in an absolute must win game.

Onwards.