Newick v G's

After an impressive start to the season with 3 wins from 3, the 2nd XV were on the road this weekend against Newick who sat second in the league and would, no doubt, be a big test for the squad.

It took just 3 minutes for the scoring to open, unfortunately against East Grinstead. After a few early penalties let Newick into the G’s half and it wasn’t long before a few good phases of play carried the ball over the G’s line. Eager to respond from the restart, East Grinstead made the most of the space out wide and after a series of good hands and phases the ball was chipped to Charlie Pullen who crashed over the line in the corner levelling the game at 5-5. The game remained deadlocked for the remainder of the first half with both teams’ forwards putting in hard carries and bone crunching tackles. One thing which the squad has been working on over the last few weeks has been our defensive line and it was fantastic to see the whole squad putting their bodies on the line to stop two almost certain Newick tries. Rory Evans deserves a big shout out here for his relentless hit after hit to prevent Newick taking an the lead.

On the cusp of half time East Grinstead were awarded a penalty and Luke Maker slotted the 3 pointer to leave the score 8-5 to EG at the break.

After encouraging words at half-time the 2s were on the defensive from the restart and with a gust of momentum from the end of the second half Newick managed to score their second try of the day after several strong carries from their pack. East Grinstead, stung into action, started to put their foot on the accelerator. The lineouts, which had been fantastic all day, led to fast ball being delivered to the backs and into the hands of Luke Maker who spotted a gap behind the Newick defensive line and poked a grubber through their backs. The eager Will Roberts was quick to react and with some superb gas got around the bewildered defence and dived onto the ball securing G’s second try of the game. The magic boot of Maker was put to good use again and converted through the posts with a superb kick from the edge of the pitch. It was then the turn of Chris Taylor to step up and put the final nail in the coffin on the day in the last 5 minutes of the game. Through another series of great hands which was orchestrated by young Fin Fisher at 10 – Chris received the ball on the halfway line, cooly stepping his opposite man at 13 and carried the ball over the line with some electric pace. Luke converted the final try of the game leaving it Newick 10 – 25 East Grinstead.

Luke Maker received MOTM this weekend after some fantastic sorcery on the pitch and great kicking all day. Luke is currently the team’s leading points scorer with 67 points to his name already this season! DOTD unsurprisingly goes to Charlie Pullen this week.
MOTM was genuinely a tough decision this week, several individuals could have won the award including Rory Evans for a fantastic game at flanker bringing down people twice his size and weight all day long.
The 2s now face Heathfield & Waldron II on 4th November in a double header at HQ. A very tough fixture last season but the 2s took a lot away from the encounter with Newick this weekend and will look to maintain their unbeaten run and keep on track for promotion.