Shoreham v G's

After well over a month since our next fixture East Grinstead arranged a friendly against Shoreham 2nd XV to dust off the cobwebs after an extended Christmas Break. With temperatures around 3 degrees the boys travelled down to Shoreham this weekend knowing that, after our 63-0 at home earlier this season, our opposition would remember and want to make up for.

After a shaky start from both sides which resulted in several penalties it was Will Roberts who opened the scoring for the day after chasing down a box kick from Shoreham’s 9 who calmly scooped up the deflection and ran the ball in under the sticks from 20 meters out. The Shoreham team we faced this weekend were certainly not going to let East Grinstead run riot like we had in the last meeting earlier this year and were certainly a much more physical team. After a series of scrums and competitive rucks Shoreham’s 12 broke through several tackles to score their first of the day which was then converted by the skipper. This was unfortunately followed by a second score from Shoreham which I am sure Stanley Kennett would like to forget as soon as possible! After clearing their half Stan took a quick lineout from our 22 which was spotted by their skipper who reacted quickly and intercepted the pass and ran in under the posts before converting his own try. Certainly, one for his own highlight reel! After 30 minutes it left G’s trailing 14-7.

In a fashion which the 2nd XV has almost mastered this season we did not let Shoreham hold onto this lead for long. Almost immediately after the restart East Grinstead were awarded a penalty which was put into touch for a lineout. Opting to use a lineout move which Sandy has been drilling both squads with the last few weeks Charlie Pullen broke through Shoreham’s defence twice before assisting the skipper with his first try in two years. This try was soon followed up by another just before the break after using another Sandy special from the back of a scrum within our own 22. Archie Vickers broke off the back of the scrum and fed recent East Grinstead joiner Sam Musgrave, playing at 12, with a lovely tip pass. Sam broke through 3 or 4 of Shoreham’s defence before providing a no look out the back pass to Stan who carried the ball over the halfway line and into the 22 before tipping another new player to the club Chris May-Miller who turned on the gas and scored in the corner before Rhys Skinner converted. Half time saw East Grinstead reclaim the lead leaving it 19-14.

The second half is where East Grinstead really started to show why we are undefeated this season and currently sitting at the top of the league across both divisions. It was the turn of young prop Will Naylor to step up and score his first ever men’s try just two minutes into the second half. Off the back of a secured ruck Will broke through not 1, not 2 but 3 of Shoreham’s oncoming defence on their 22 and calmly sat down a 4th before running in the try. What a game this young man had!

10 minutes later Will Roberts (now East Grinstead 2nd XV’s leading try scorer for the season) picked up his second try of the game after a fantastic cross field kick from his younger brother Noah was collected whilst displaying acrobatics which could potentially see him at the Olympics one day.

The next 20 minutes was even between both teams with lots of hard carries and competition at scrums and lineouts. However, after seeing his two props score and not wanting to miss out on the action George Beet scored the final try of the day. A lineout on Shoreham’s 5-meter line saw a driving maul rip through their defence allowing Beet to carry the ball over the line before Noah Roberts converted the try, great to have you back young man!

Final Score East Grinstead 2nd XV 36 – 14 Shoreham 2nd XV.

A rarity this weekend saw Charlie Pullen not get dick of the day! Stan Kennett well and truly deserved this one this week and will be doing the dishes Thursday.

MOTM was a tough one this week. It could have easily gone to several players however this week it was awarded to Sam Musgrave who had a superb first run out in East Grinstead kit. From the get-go Sam was a leader on the pitch, controlled the back line and given he has only been to two training sessions so far, he effortlessly transitioned into East Grinstead’s style of play. Congrats mate, those carries and tackles were monstrous.

Alongside Sam we had two additional new players this weekend who received their first caps for the club – Chris May-Miller and Kit Clarke who both also had fantastic games. East Grinstead is a fantastic place to be, and we look forward to welcoming more players over the course of the season.

Next up we have Heathfield & Waldron 2nd XV who we will be facing in the league on Saturday 20th January. Undoubtedly this will be fantastic game to watch at HQ and as always support is always welcome!