G’s Stun Crawley on the Road

EG 2’s took the short trip to Crawley RFC this Saturday, a local rivalry which players and supporters alike always look forward to - and this weekend they were not disappointed!

The last Grinstead Crawley encounter ended 81-17 to the G’s. However, with the wet conditions this weekend and playing away at Crawley, the players were under no illusion it would be a walkover, even with Club Captain Mark Oliver returning to the pitch.

The game was full of excitement and chaotic confusion (with the ref seemingly making up rules as he went and picking and choosing when he would spot things). Although at times this may have led to some agitation, the height of frustration came near the end of the match when Matt Brooke (playing 9) jumped up and down shaking his clenched fists at the forwards exclaiming “why won’t you just listen to me?!” After the forwards had just successfully turned the ball over...

Despite this D*** of the Day outburst, the rest of the match was full of moments of pure joy and amazement. The first 7 points picked up reflected how the game would be played out. Simon Elliott made a break down the right wing; confronted by 3 defenders, Elliott wisely opted to chip over the top, allowing Brooke to chase the ball down, hoofing the ball up the pitch (with notable gasps from the crowd expecting it to go dead), Brooke turned on the after burners and managed to touch down in the corner. In true 2nd team form, the kicking tee was left in the changing room so Ryland Thomas was left with Dan Arnold’s makeshift T-shirt tee, which incredibly was slotted from the touch line between the uprights. That kick set the tone for the rest of the match with Thomas converting ALL 7 of the G’s further tries coming from our “backs” Oli Brown, Owen Leggat, Ryland Thomas and Dan Arnold(x3), with Tom Kieran also picking up 5 points.

Although quite a few boys got their name on the scoresheet, one player is notably missing - Jon Seal. Seal was undoubtedly robbed today by the referee of his first competitive try EVER when it was cruelly ruled that Rauri Andrews’ offload to Seal in the build up to the try was forward.

The conditions today were fairly grim, the referee was questionable, but there is no doubting the spirit in which the match was played. Crawley were an absolute delight to play against - they didn’t even manage to wind up Ryland! The boys were also grateful the match was even fulfilled, with many games in the county this weekend being postponed due to the weather conditions.

The 2’s will be looking to keep this momentum going forward into next week where they play Crowborough 2’s at home in a huge top of the table clash!