G's v Newick

After rain had called off a majority of games across the South East we were delighted that our pitches had held firm after the downpour earlier in the week. It meant that East Grinstead had 3 senior men’s home games on at the weekend.

This was the second time we have played Newick this campaign and after the last outing we knew we were going to have our work cut out for us. Always a physical side it would take our A-game to beat Newick who had not lost a game since we played them earlier in the season.
The game began with a fierce exchange of hard hits and big carries with each team vying for control in the challenging weather conditions. However, it was East Grinstead who drew first blood, courtesy of Max Crawley-Moore’s fantastic opener. A scrum, 5 minutes into the game, allowed G’s the opportunity to test the 217 move which we have been nailing over the last few weeks. Pullen picked the ball at the back of the scrum, tipped to Taylor who then found Crawley-Moore just inside the halfway line. Max carried the ball up the pitch and, after deceiving the Newick 15, dashed under the posts to score the opener.

Crawley-Moore was once again in action after making another fantastic line break 8 minutes later breaking through the defensive line and with great vision he played a pivotal role in setting up the second try of the day, this time for Rhys Skinner. After receiving the ball from Max, Rhys exploited the space in front of him allowing him to cross the line and score before slotting the ball between the stick’s moment later.

Newick showed a lot of resilience during the game and determination from several of their players in the form of hard hits and contesting at the ruck showed they were refusing to go down without a fight. However, neither was our giant flying dutchman, who made quite simply a mesmerising solo effort. After receiving the ball wide in our own half Daan barged his way through several of Newicks defenders and with only a winger half his size to beat (poor lad) he embarked on a 60-meter run before crashing over the line spraying mud over the onlooking supporters which electrified the crowd. Unfortunately, however this also electrified his heart and he subbed himself off within seconds of scoring the try.

As the half reached its climax a great opportunity for another try came from a fantastic break and relentless play from Chris May-Miller who showcased his speed and agility by carrying the ball through Newicks defence. Chris tipped the ball to Stan Kennett who set up a great 2v1 with Will Roberts who showed us all once again his try scoring abilities and why he is the 2nd XVs leading try scorer this season by scoring the 4th try of the day. Just before the end of the half Newick’s hard work was rewarded with a converted try after a series of pick and go’s caused gaps in Grinstead defence. Half time score: East Grinstead 24 – 7 Newick

The second half was fairly deadlocked, however not content with just one, Crawley-Moore went on to secure his brace with another fantastic effort. This time, seizing an opportune moment, he capitalised on a quick tap and go from recent returner George Johnson, catching the Newick defence off guard. With impeccable timing, Max darted from 10 meters out, left the opposition trailing in his wake as he touched down for his second try of the match under the sticks. This left a simple conversion for Rhys Skinner and finished the game East Grinstead 31 – 7 Newick.
This week’s man of the match unsurprisingly went to Max Crawley-Moore who not only played a pivotal role in securing the win with his two trys and one assist but for his leadership on the pitch. We shall have Daan doing the washing up this week (once he has recovered from his almost pitch side death/try) as he received a yellow card in the second half.

The result has left us top of the league by some way and I hope all the players are as proud as I am after this weekend’s result. Looking ahead we have two long journeys down to Littlehampton on 16th March and then our final game against Midhurst on 6th April. Do you think we can go undefeated this season? We certainly think so…..