G's v Trinity

Off the back of an incredible victory at Hove and wearing captain, Ryland’s, favorite festive kit for the last game of the year (It makes his guns and legs look awesome), Gs went into the home fixture very confident. The crowd on the rafters, pumped after what I’m told was a delicious meal prepared by the back of house staff, roaring as the team made their way out to the pitch.

Trinity with the KO to Gs, was caught by Connor, who doing his usual bouldering run, made some meters forward, giving time for Poulton to clinically clear for touch and put all the pre match nerves to rest. A lineout for Trinity in their half and some back-and-forth rugby by the backs, was eventually ended with a penalty to G’s that resulted in Oli slotting over for 3 points to get the scoreboard ticking over.

The restart again by Trinity and a clean take by Connor again (this will become a recurring theme), moved the Grinstead pack forward, Trinty soon able to recover position from some scrappy breakdown work , but infringed in the process. Another G’s pen... until Ryland wanting quick ball, pushed one of the Trinity players over the ball, resulting in the penalty being reversed. Trinity kicked for the corner, managed a good lineout and a blistering run through the middle, again well covered by centers Max and Ted, Gs eventually gave another penalty away, this time resulting in 3 points. Honours even after the first quarter!

Grinstead to restart, the kick pushing Trinity into their far corner. With nothing but a clearance option available, their 15 gave it a good boot forward. With Grinstead now getting a firm grip of the game, the line-out working well and the scrums holding strong, it was inevitable another score was on the way! Some great phase play by the forwards allowing the backs some space out wide. It was a good bit of interlinking work between Oli, Ted and Jake that saw Jake eventually charging his way over the line.

With confidence and control growing, it wasn’t long before a well-rehearsed training move paid off, the crowd and coaches jaws on the floor as Oli Billins jinked his way through the middle of the Trinity centers, defensive heads spinning unsure on what had just happened, there were whispers within the oppo team of ‘where did he come from’, Coach Sandy on the touchline grinning like a Cheshire cat with his play coming off with points. Oli touched down for the score.

Grinstead having been here before, up well on the scoreboard but still many minutes left to play, needed to ensure they kept their cool and maintain the pressure. Again, the backs making some great runs – Except Jake, who decided a nice long kick deep into the Trinity dead ball area was a good idea with an overlap on... enough said about that.

Grinstead back on the Trinity 5m line after some monstrous running by Connor and Brimo to get some great field advantage, it was the ever-present Sam Spriddell who managed a sniping run around the fringes and tumbled over the line for another 5 points for the now rampant G’s.

The Grinstead pack were doing what they do best, scrummaging. This gave the backs a solid platform to unleash some more poetic training park moves onto the dance floor. Aaron at 8, sublimely releasing Spriddell who managed to target Jake yet again for a darting run through the heart of the Trinity defence, galloping over the whitewash for another 5 points!

Half time and we go in confidently with the score board showing a very healthy 27 - 3 and the try bonus already in the bag! A rousing talk by Sandy and special guest Ryan, and Ryland reminding the boys of the importance of the next 10 minutes, and the whistle for the second half was ready to blow.

A great restart by Dan Poulton (looking like he had just stepped out of a DAZ advert all white and sparkly 40 minutes in), saw the Trinity pack attempting to run at the Grinstead boys. Some heavy hitting by Totty and Brimo who are always sniffing a big smash around the fringes, pushed Trinity backwards. Running out of options, Trinity attempted to run the ball out of their 22 by running through a gap between Dan Poulton and Ryland Thomas, which was swiftly shut down. Dan somehow appeared with the ball in hand from a loose pass, the backs eyes wide open with the opportunity in front of them. Some quick hands through the lines, saw Ted Hardisty, with the blistering pace we are coming to know well, score his first points for the 1XV in front of his Mum and Dad too, who I imagine were grinning ear to ear!

It was not to be all one way though, Trinity still with ideas of ruining the Grinstead Christmas mood, somehow managed to find some space through the Grinstead backs which allowed the oppo 10 a very peculiar kick to somehow end up in play for their winger to run in their first try of the day. This looked like the old east Grinstead letting teams back in - it couldn’t happen again could it?

Ryland with some very quick words under the sticks, to get the heads back on straight and make sure we saw this game out.

This was not to be a bad day for the Grinstead boys and they were determined to have the last points of the game come hell or high water! Trinity, now starting to lose a grip of the game and the ref, started racking the penalties up. The Grinstead line-out was doing a great job this week, managing to give plenty of secure ball to the backs. This allowed a delicious move, I think involving every back, which ended with Jake, sealing off his day with a Hatrick and both hamstrings still intact! However, a poll of players and spectators, all agreed that he needs a haircut!!!

What a way to end the first half of the season! 41 - 10 result, 7th place in the table, two very well-deserved wins on the bounce and some rest time leading us into the next half!

Rest up, keep sharp and lets turn up for the first session ready to continue this momentum.