EG Men 1
Matches
Sat 30 Sep 2017  ·  Harvey's of Sussex 1
EAST GRINSTEAD RFC
EG Men 1
Tries: S AndersonPenalties: S Cooke (2), B Swadling
14
6
Seaford
Another win, but we did it the hard way!

Another win, but we did it the hard way!

Rhodri Lewis11 Apr 2018 - 08:30
Share via
FacebookTwitter
https://www.egrfc.com/teams/14

Ones make it difficult for themselves!

On Saturday we welcomed a Seaford side and were fully aware of what sort of game it would be. In the warm up things were not quite at the level they normally are and perhaps there was a little complacency among some of the players. We started well with good surges from the forwards creating space for the backs to play out wide. However, some poor decision making and dropped balls meant we missed out on opportunities. Seaford came back at us with big carried from their forwards and moved the ball well in the backline. We stood up well in defence and made some excellent tackles an turn overs. However, with the penalty count rising they took the first points of the game. The pattern of the game ebbed and flowed as both teams made ground then made errors. After twenty minutes or so we began to gain a lot of territory but continued to make basic mistakes. A short time later we were awarded a penalty in front of the posts following a good period of phase play. Cooke converted. We continued to press forward in the second twenty minutes of the first half and created a number of opportunities. Frustratingly, we seemed to take the wrong option more often than not or made an error and lost possession. It wasn't until just before half time that we scored again. Another penalty which Cooke converted. Seaford also scored another penalty before half time to make it 6-6 at half time. A really scrappy first half with an extraordinarily high error count. At half time the players received their first ear full from me this season and changes were made.

The second half started better and the pattern started to appear more often. Opportunities were missed and time ticked on. We then inexplicably started to get the referee against us with back chat and gave away ridiculous penalties for this eventually leading to a yellow for Anderson for team offences. We continued to shot ourselves in the foot with the error count in attack. However, fortunately our defence was very good and organised and limited Seaford to long range penalties. They had the chance to take the lead with fifteen to go but the kick went wide. For the remaining period we were camped in their half and finally worked the ball into space for Anderson to cross for the games only try. Swadling missed the conversion. From the kick off we took the ball back into the Seaford half with good running from Waite and Anderson. An offence was committed and we slotted a penalty to close the game out 14-6. An ugly win and poor performance but we got the four points and remain unbeaten.

Head Coach Rhodri Lewis said,' In attack we were really disappointing today. We made far too many errors and turned over way too much ball through poor execution and decision making. Fortunately for us our defence was excellent and we were not punished for our indiscretions. But it was definitely a feeling of getting out of jail today. Seaford were a well drilled, experienced, abrasive side and we played into their hands at times today. We need to learn quickly from what we did poorly today as we have a string of big games coming up which will go a long way to defining our season. '

Next week we host the other unbeaten team in the league, Hellingly, and the game will now be at home as their pitch repairs are not quite ready. We very much appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you again next week.

Match details

Match date

Sat 30 Sep 2017

Kickoff

15:00

Meet time

13:30

Instructions

130 meet, on the pitch at 2pm. Shirt and tie for after the game.

Attendance

150

Competition

Harvey's of Sussex 1

League position

1
East Grinstead
4
Seaford
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Shirt Sponsor - Spartan UK
Shirt Sponsor - Tough Mudder