The East Grinstead ladies travelled 30mins down the A22 to take on local rivals Uckfield. Uckfield without a win to their name this season were always going to find the G’s too strong! Especially after the G’s last game against Crawley a month ago where they ran in 5 tries in the last half hour! But coach Saunders ensured there was no room for complacency, and demanded the ladies put in a clinical performance!

Right from the kick off it was clear that East Grinstead had too much pace. With Captain Naomi Lewis moving from 9 to 10 really opening the game up. The forwards have been working hard on keeping possession and staying connected with the ball carrier. They also showed great support, and good hands to keep the ball alive creating continuity.

Once again, Steph Shackel’s acceleration at outside centre was also tough for the home team to contain. Along with accurate passing G’s found space out wide. But East Grinstead back of the match Comfort Wallis was stopped just short. By then the defence had already been pulled apart allowing Nina Gould to crash over with no less than three Uckfield players being carried on her back 5-0. Moments later the ball was moved wide again and with 40m left, Comfort this time was able to beat several defenders, scoring G’s second try. After losing several players to injury including outside centre Steph Shackel and right wing Mary May Miller. East Grinstead needed to move forwards out into the backline. No.8 Ash Greenslade and loosehead prop Nina Gould both moving into the centres. With these changes East Grinstead naturally took the more direct route, straight up the middle. But again, their offloading game kept the ball alive. This allowed Vicki Pellet to score under the post 17-0. Now with the direct route proving affective, it drew in the opposition defenders. Which again, created space out wide for Comfort to score her 2nd try of the game 22-0 half time!

The half time talk was simple. Don’t stop! Let’s keep moving the opposition around, but make sure we are only giving the ball to supporting players that are in a better position to carry.

2nd half kicked off, Leah Sullivan caught it and then proceeded to step left, step right, dummy pass and run near 80m to
score under the posts untouched! A fantastic individual try!!! 29-0.

The next period saw a number of penalty infringements go both ways. Which put an end to the open running rugby that the spectators were enjoying. The majority of the 2nd half was played in the middle of the pitch. However, G’s had one more play up their sleeve, and this time it was the skipper Naomi Lewis scoring. Final score 34-0!

It was mentioned by assistant coach Anthony Bell that this win was off the back of a fantastic team performance. And that everyone should feel very proud of what they had achieved away from home. The continuity from the forwards in particular was a high point!

Special mentions go to forward of the match, hooker Ella Jacobs who not only threw in accurately all game, and managed two scrum steals on the opposition’s feed. But she also carried vigorously which helped put G’s on the front foot. Back of the match, left wing Comfort Wallis scored a double. But she also did what the coaches had asked of her, and went looking for work. Then the player of the match, 2nd row Lynne Forsyth who played her best game this season was everywhere. After losing senior player Ash Greenslade out into the centres, Lynne stepped up and carried again & again. Made all her tackles and lead the lineout too!

East Grinstead are now waiting on a couple of injuries. Unfortunately Kirsty McIntyre in her first run at openside came off with quite a serious shoulder injury. Which was a real shame, as she was literally flying into tackles and stopping the front foot ball that Uckfield were trying to get. I counted at least 7 dominant tackles in the first 12 minutes before she came off! Mary May Miller also suffered a dislocated shoulder, but it went straight back in, so we will have to wait and see how she comes through the next two weeks. Then Steph Shackel who came off with an ankle injury. She remained off the pitch, but it was more precautionary with a run of big games coming up.

What coach Saunders was most impressed about, is how this team turns up! Sundays game was only their 3rd league game in 10 weeks! Yet they train hard week in and week out. Then turn up and play some highly entertaining rugby. 15 tries in 3 games! So if you would like to witness this open running style of rugby the ladies are playing. Their next game is at home on the 24th against Worthing. This game will also double up as part of the Sussex Cup!

After Sundays win, the East Grinstead ladies sit 3rd on the table but with an extra game in hand!

See you all on the 24th!!