East Grinstead u16's vs Edenbridge

East Grinstead & Edenbridge u16's took to the field in this penultimate game of the season with clearly contrasting squads. Edenbridge rely on their powerful pack to make progress while East Grinstead have a set of backs that can carve their way through any defence given half a chance. It was always going to be an interesting contest with Edenbridge showing off some new recruits. To dominate the game East Grinstead had to retain enough possession and defend as well as they did in their sterling performance against Uckfield the week before.
The pattern was set in the first five minutes when after a coherent spell of Bridge pressure, a loose kick was picked up by Ollie Roberts playing out of position on the wing, who with the awareness of space, speed and a delicious step in the out past the Bridge back three to outpace the cover and score beneath the posts. 7-0.
Edenbridge were stung enough to up their effort, getting to rucks first, ensuring ball retention and driving towards Grinstead territory. The G's defence was dragged out of position and first tackles were being missed as Edenbridge crossed for their first try. The conversion from out wide hit the far post and rebounded out. 7-5
Ennobled by this success and with increasingly comfortable set piece possesion, Bridge quickly broke through further sloppy tackling by the young G's on half way and with their direct running & great support play finished off under the posts to lead 7-12.
The Bridge backs could compete afterall, but now the balance was restored as the East Grinstead forwards had a purple patch as they made ground round the fringes of the breakdown and offloaded to good effect. A weakened defence soon succumbed to a scintillating break through the centre channel by Captain Ben Beard to give kicker Ollie Adams the easiest of conversions. Half time came East Grinstead deservedly back in the lead, with the most tenuous of advantages at 14-12.
The second half saw more of the same, with Edenbridge adding a kicking game to try to pin East Grinstead down in their own half, where they could do less damage. With total dominance in the line out, and seemingly every decision at the breakdown going their way, the omens were not looking good for the young G's as Edenbridge forced their way back through with driving mauls and sheer determination to take the lead again at 14-19.
Back came East Grinstead showing a team effort, with the forwards increasing their competitiveness at the breakdown. Or Shay punched through a central channel to touch down for an impressive score and when Ollie Adams made a tricky conversion look simple, they had reprised their half time two point advantage at 21-19.
Twist followed turn as neither side could impose any real dominance. Another period of pressure by Edenbridge saw some determinedly effective defence from the G's who seemingly were camped on their try line for an eternity.
Finally, with six minutes left on the clock, Edenbridge forced a way through to retake the elusive lead 21-26.
The next few minutes were the moments that this emerging East Grinstead side finally realised its potential as in a surge of determination, skill and team effort, they secured the game, the victory, the points and the realisation that by working together, by setting up the game, by playing to their strengths, they can play exquisite rugby of high quality. East Grinstead were first to the ball, they were running straight and true, they were suddenly irrepressible, they definitely were not going to lose this one!
Ben Beard was given the narrowest of gaps and in the blink of an eye, was down the touchline, he was never going to be caught and triumphantly touched the ball down. Ollie duly obliged with the extras to take the game back to a two pointer 28-26 with two minutes remaining.
Then with screams from the coaches of 'you ain't won it yet', they duly obliged to ease any anxiety by a superb finish from underused winger James Winter. Finally set loose, he sped away from desperate cover to take the final score to a well deserved 35-26.
Ollie Adams fifth conversion of the day capped an impressive all around performance and crucially his kicking always meant the we weren't playing catch up as much as the opposition.
Ollie was Man of The Match, but in truth so were each and every one of them. From the surging drives by forwards Caleb Rebelo, Oscar Arro and especially James Busby. From the heavy duty shifts put in by the front row of Harley Stanbridge, Dan Harding (playing out of position) and George Beet who were never out-scrummaged by a more experienced opposition. To organised, skilful and brave half back performances from Sammy Carlile, Ryan Whiteman and MOM number 10 Ollie Adams. To the work rate and tries from the best centre combination in the league in Or Shay and Ben Beard, to the glorious finishing of Ollie Roberts and James Winter, to the energy and commitment to the cause of the two Toms - Skinner & Edwards. These guys are the future of The East Grinstead Rugby Club and that future is in safe hands based on this evidence.
We would also like to thank Edenbridge Rugby Club for the day, the competitive & good spirited game and we are delighted to see a new Edenbridge team emerging and look forward to many friendly battles in the future.
Thank you Andy and your team of coaches & parents.
As Andy stated at the MOM race (that I am disappointed to report that Edenbridge won) Rugby was the winner today
Richard Dewing
Head Coach u16's