This weekend the u14s had the pleasure of hosting a Norwegian touring team, Bergen. As well as producing a number of Norway internationals, Bergen can also claim Michael Shelley and Andre van Niekerk as former players.

With only 12 touring players, the match was split into quarters and a different set of players donated at each break giving everyone plenty of playing time.

East Grinstead started strongly not allowing Bergen out of their own half. A strong tackle from William Jolley allowed Jack Kelly to pick and go. Quick ball from the resulting ruck saw the ball make its way out Harvey Seal who broke through for a try near the posts, converted by William Blackburn. Pressure and quick hands from the restart saw Conor Sullivan time a perfect pass to Radley Minter to score under the posts, converted again by William Blackburn. The rest of the quarter saw strong play and defence from both teams and with no further scores, the first quarter ended 14-0 East Grinstead.

After a switch of donated players, the East Grinstead team again started strongly with Floyd Ashdown breaking through and running from half-way for his first try of the match under the posts, converted by Conor Sullivan. East Grinstead continued strongly, communicating and working well together, however Bergen kept fighting and ripped the ball, stringing together some good passages of play. Some great defensive work from Conor Sullivan finally took Bergen into touch and from the resulting line out the ball made its way to Floyd Ashdown who again made his way under the posts, selflessly popping it to Harvey Seal for his second try. Conversion by Conor Sullivan and a half time lead of 28-0 East Grinstead.

An East Grinstead line out early in the second half saw the ball worked well down the line for winger Ollie Maranzano to score the 5th try of the match, a tricky conversion missed. From the restart, Floyd showed his strength running the ball back for another try beneath the posts, converted by William Blackburn. Not to be outdone, William Blackburn collected the restart and scored his own try beneath the posts, converting it himself.

Bergen heads did not drop though and some strong running and last-ditch defence saw them tackled short of the try line. East Grinstead won the resulting scrum and patiently worked their way back up the pitch with Floyd Ashdown taking the final pass for his hat-trick try, converted by William Blackburn, ending the third quarter 52-0 East Grinstead.

Bergen started the final quarter strongly and within a minute Knut Hovda dived over for their first try of the match, converted by Guli De Lauri. A tired East Grinstead started leaking tackles and it wasn’t long before Brodie McMullan Bergenson went over for Bergen’s second try, again converted by Guli De Lauri. A reinvigorated Bergan started showing their skills, and although there were some great tackles and attempted rips, Brodie McMullan Bergenson broke through the East Grinstead defence again and for Bergen’s third try, not converted.

The last play of the game saw Bergen still strong in the maul, retaining possession for long periods of the final quarter. East Grinstead finally tired and Radley Minter Bergenson saw the gap and ran through for Bergen's 4th try, converted by Guli De Lauri.

The boys from both teams all played brilliantly and showed great team spirit and attitude, welcoming the Bergen players and joining together to make sure the game happened. After the match we were treated to some Aquavit and traditional Bergen singing from Bergen coach Espen Sandviken and the team. The East Grinstead coaches better get practicing for the return leg…

Thank you to Nikki, Rob and Andy for hosting and keeping the bar open late into the day for our visitors!

East Grinstead

Tries
Ashdown 3, Blackburn, Maranzano, Minter, Seal 2

Conversions
Blackburn 4, Sullivan 2

Bergen Rugby Klubb

Tries
Hovda, McMullan 2, Minter

Conversions
De Lauri 3