EG Men 2
Matches
Sat 05 Oct 2019
Uckfield 2s
38
43
EAST GRINSTEAD RFC
EG Men 2
Tries: J Skipworth (3), H Weller, M Redmond, G Phillips (2)Conversions: H Weller (4)
Good start at Uckfield

Good start at Uckfield

Matt Marriott6 Oct 2019 - 14:47
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https://www.egrfc.com/teams/14

38 - 43

Having had our first two league games postponed, as the opposition couldn’t field a team, it was with great expectation that G’s 2’s travelled to Uckfield to finally get our campaign under way. The pitch was great, and I could not wait to try out my shiny new Kooga boots. The problem was, after a few last minute drop outs and no shows, only 13 fine men stood ready to challenge our local neighbours. Sammy, who’s football game had been cancelled and who had decided to come and watch, was persuaded to put on his boots. Ben Grey’s shorts fitted him a treat, and so we were up to 14 with Sam debuting in his first (and last he said after) rugby game.

Uckfield came at us like a train, and within a few short minutes were camped on our line, stern defence was not enough as Uckfield used their big runners to eventually cross for their opener! Having spoken about starting well, this was a huge disappointment, but it at least stung us into action and a wonderful passage of play followed as Ben G fed Robbie, who streaked away before throwing a delightful pass into the path of the excellent Skippy, and the speedy winger did the rest.

With no specialist 9 among us, Henry had reluctantly volunteered, and was having a storming game, but things really went mad when he broke clear in our own half, beat one, then two, jinked, skipped and ran, leaving a trail of Uckfield players sprawling in his wake. with just one to beat, a deft step and then power on to crash over and give us the lead. What a try!! Things got better and better for G’s as Mikey then turned up, bringing us up to 15 and instantly making up for his miserable lateness with some awesome carries. Assisted by Ben W, Simmo and Guy, G’s went through the phases with superb accuracy, recycling the ball with speed and precision. It was left to the player who started the move to finish it as Mikey smashed over the line in a fearsome charge, to put G’s in control.

Any Ideas that Uckfield were done however, were quickly put to bed when Uckfield scored powerfully down the middle, and then really started applying more pressure. Sam, playing on the wing was tackling any thing that moved, George and Sach popping up everywhere, and when a brilliant turn over released the ball to Guy, a remarkable turn of pace saw the big man clear. A lovely support line from Sammy, who was starting to enjoy the oval shaped ball, drew the defence, and Guy finished untouched to give us a buffer once more. Horrible controversy drew the half to a close however, when a hopeful kick through from the Uckfield wing, saw a wicked bounce which beat every one, even the onrushing winger who completely missed the ball, which was grounded by Marriott for a 22 drop out. The unsighted ref saw things differently however, and gave a try, much to our disappointment. 19 - 22.

It felt like we had played all the rugby and I couldn’t quite believe that Uckfield were still in touching distance of us. We kicked off the second period, determined to assert some control over this see saw game, but it was Uckfield who started the brighter, applying real pressure in our 22, this was relived in emphatic style as Skip intercepted, to run full length to stretch us clear once more. Surely our tenacious opposition would crumble? Oh no, a brilliant break down the middle, saw the Uckfield crowd on their feet, a despairing tackle from Marriott saw him dropped just short of the line, but a lovely off load from the floor, saw them reduce the deficit once more. A lovely blind side move off the scrum, saw Simmo and Henry put Skippy clear for his hat trick, but yet again, Uckfield came back with the same excellent player bursting through and the Uckfield boys saw victory in their grasp - only two points behind with 10 to play. Strong running saw us into the oppo 22. A burst from Marriott saw him close, but quick ball left found space and Ben G drew the last defender before putting Guy in for his brace! Nine points clear and five minutes to play, surely there could be no more drama?

Of course there could! The young winger playing on the Uckfield right, streaked through some weak tackling to score a beaut in the corner. Five points behind, we restarted with the ref calling last play, everyone playing with hearts in their mouths, the crowd holding their breath!! Uckfield with nothing to lose, swept into the attack once more, space opened up, time stood still, the pass to surely win delivered... And knocked on!!!! Ball into touch, ref blew the whistle. What a win.

A ridiculous roller coaster of a game, that we made hard work of to be honest, but Uckfield were excellent all afternoon - not just in their rugby, but were fantastic sports too. A massive pleasure to play against, and I can’t wait to play them again at HQ later in the season. MotM could have gone to a few. Skippy with his hat trick, Henry was brilliant at 9, but I’m going for football Sam! Thank you so much brother, we wouldn’t have won without you!! DotD goes to me for letting their winger score in the dying moments, sorry boys! It was made even worse when I heard it was his first ever game too!!

Match details

Match date

Sat 05 Oct 2019

Kickoff

15:00

Meet time

13:00

Instructions

Meet EG at 1pm or 1.45 at Uckfield. Polos for after please!
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Shirt Sponsor - Spartan UK
Shirt Sponsor - Tough Mudder
Sponsor - Citynet Lloyd's Broker
Sponsor - Leggat Plant Ltd
Club Sponsor - MRRF