1st XV Turn the Screw on Barns Green

For the second time in three weeks the 1st XV were pitted against a team they were promoted alongside last season and went in to the game on the back of 2 very good wins over Ditchling and Burgess Hill. Various commitments and injury had robbed the team of some regular starters from last season’s campaign but the strength in depth meant that the team remained in good shape.
We got off to an absolute flyer when Sam Montagu read the situation perfectly to intercept a pass around 60 metres out to race clear within the opening minute of the game. The returning Steven Cooke kicked the extras for a 7-0 lead. Barns Green hit straight back following an interception of their own and after a couple of quick phases they dotted down for a well-deserved try. This momentary lapse kick started the G’s and we began to get a hold on the game. Morgan Burger, deceptively strong when carrying, crashed through one tackle before regaining his balance to cross the whitewash after some lovely phase play from forwards and backs alike. The pack started to work through their repertoire of line outs and a well-executed “Lada” including an alternative inside pass released Dan Arnold for our third try. Cooke made sure that we took maximum points with his third kick of the day to make it 21-5. Barns Green had the lion’s share of possession for the next 10 minutes or so, putting some solid pressure on our try line but just like in other recent meetings our defence held firm and came away unscathed. On the stroke of half time Arnold, once again, crossed the try line, finishing off a wonderful passage of play. Another successful conversion meant that we took a commanding 28-5 lead into the break.
Although the score line sat heavily in our favour we knew that we had been wasteful and at times looked to force the pass rather than set the ball up, recycle and play the phases. The discussion was had, the plan was set and the performance in the second half was one of the most clinical that I have witnessed for a number of seasons. We played a more structured game, worked hard to be in support of our runners and dominated the set piece. Within the opening 5 minutes we scored our best try of the day. A big shove in the scrum put our backs on the front foot and as the ball worked its way out to Oscar Waite he bulldozed his way through a handful of defenders before feeding Ben Swadling whose quick offload allowed Scott Anderson time to open up down the left wing. Another fine offload in the tackle found Swadling again who had enough speed to find the gap and finished from 40 metres. Young openside Callum Champain entered the game for Peter Morley, who had been a constant threat in the line out, which meant Tommy Bowden moved into the second row. There were also 1st team debuts for Jack Skipworth and Jake Radcliffe off the bench who took up their positions on either wing. Midway through the half it was Arnold again who rolled back the years to secure his hat trick and made sure that the lads would not go thirsty! Skipworth had only been on the field for 5 minutes before he joined in the fun with a great finish from the left wing. Cooke kept his 100% record off the tee making it 7 from 7.
Josh Carr was enjoying a very open game from full back and joined the line perfectly before throwing a dummy to create the space for his first of the day to take the score above 50 points. Skipworth was certainly making the most of his chance in the 1st team chasing a clever kick from Carr into the left corner, collecting and rolling his tackler to dot down for his second and out ninth try. It’s safe to say that Cooke was not best pleased with the angle of the kick which put an end to his perfect record.
In the absence of Head Coach, Rhodri Lewis, Martyn Ansboro faced the press and said “This is the second year running that Rhodri hasn’t made this fixture. I’m beginning to think that he doesn’t fancy the 3 mile yomp through the woodlands. I’m sure he’ll resurface next week for the home fixture against Seaford!” When asked who he thought had made a telling contribution he was very complimentary “I thought the combination of Waite and Swadling in the centres was superb. They offered go forward ball at every opportunity. The pack gave away a lot of weight today so for them to dominate the scrum is testament to their skill level.”
A 61-5 win away against anybody is a fantastic result but to do so so early in the season with a much changed team puts the 1st XV in good stead going into another couple of home fixtures. Next week, we go again!