G's v Weybridge Vandals

East Grinstead started their Saturday like any other, slowly working their way through the warm up, now a little more confident after the last few matches, knowing they can compete with any team in the league. The more senior players took charge during the team huddles and setting the tone. This felt good. This was surely our day!

Weybridge Vandals were on the paddock first, East Grinstead arriving soon after as pumped as ever. Connor Leggatt receiving the first ball and driving forward, the boys straight into the phases, and an early penalty allowing Dan Poulton to push us to the Vandals 10m line, a great covering tackle by Ted Hardisty on his league debut, lifted spirits even more, the East Grinstead boys showing they could compete against the team sitting 2nd in the table. Dan Poulton's voice being heard through the line and every man standing up to the call, it was soon another penalty to East Grinstead to clinically clear their lines.

East Grinstead back into their phases with Sam Spriddell and Poulton controlling the patterns perfectly, the rest dong their duties. It was a sight to behold, the lineout working well, Poulton pinning the Vandals into their half with some accurate kicking to force their hand. Tuesday’s training session was soon giving dividends on the field, with a clean platform for the backs to attack, fast dummy running and clinical hands, the forwards then dominating their patterns, running hard into the space around the breakdown. Oli Billin with a splendid running line off the 10’s shoulder with support all around. It was none other than Dan Poulton to dot it over the line. It’s amazing what you can do when we bring training plays into the game.

A let off from the restart as the Vandals exploited space for one of their players to run unopposed... if he hadn't knocked it on. Some back and forth play with a couple of line outs and scrums sprinkled in led to some tasty running G’s lines, the backs were soon once again offered some open space to attack and were very unlucky to see a marginally forward pass lead to a stop in play.

Vandals seemed unsure on how to handle the East Grinstead forwards attack, which then allowed great outside running rugby, with the backs now brimming with confidence, having some great chances when offered up. The Vandals were all sucked in and the big man Joshua Brimecombe slotting in seamlessly at 10, throwing the perfect pass out wide with Oli making another great break and Ali Moffatt with his trademark inside step to ensure the ball was kept in play. A quick pass off the floor and it was none other than Brimmo with a darting run bulldozing one and jinking another to find his way over the whitewash.

Vandals knowing they needed the next score, were putting everything into their attack with some great running from their backs. A good break out wide pushed Grinstead back into their 22 and then they attacked our 5. With some unbelievably resilient line defence, G’s managed to hold the ball up over the line, which gave a chance to clear the lines. The Vandals came back and this time managed a penalty in front of the sticks which gave them a 3 point chance.

Half time, 14 - 3!

Belief that a huge upset was on the cards, flowing through players and spectators alike. A penalty for G’s from the kick off and an easy three for Oli only strengthening this optimism.

A lucky bounce from the kick off saw Connor Leggatt gather and make a blasting run through the Vandals line, who were left not quiet sure what had just happened. A clean breakdown and fast ball out wide led to another score for the Grinstead backs, finished by Ali Moffatt.

With the score currently 24 - 3 to G’s, having been here before, it was all about mental ability now, as Vandals were undoubtedly going to come back now for one last attempt, and what an attempt it would be...

Vandals with a try off a quick ball out the side of a ruck. 24 - 8

Another good move by Vandals keeping three forwards out wide another try in the corner. 24 - 13

Another try out wide. 24 - 18

And another. 24 - 23

And the final nail in the coffin. 24 - 28

Final score.

Maybe it’s fitness, maybe its mental strength. Whatever it is, East Grinstead have got to find a way to close these winnable games out. With two must win games coming up before Christmas, its time to turn it on and see it out.