Vets Tournament

The call to arms was once more made by our unofficial Vets manager, Morgan Burger and our Vets answered. With limited notice, Sussex RFU had decided to schedule a tournament on the same day as all of the Sussex Cup finals across the county meaning there were limited numbers all around. That being said, our men scrambled together a side of 15 ready to take to the field at Haywards Heath. The competition consisted of 3 sides, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath and Hove.

The idea was each team would play the other 2, for 20 minutes a half with a break in between and then the other 20 minutes later in the day allowing for breath to be caught and bodies to be rested. All of the games were played in good spirits with teams sharing players as and when was necessary.

EG 12 vs 12 Hove 1/2
Hove managed to bring a strong squad with some 22 players available, naturally this came in handy later in the day when all 3 teams were in dire need of fresh legs. However, this game was a straight up 15 East Grinstead players vs 15 Hove players. Hove started the stronger with good running rugby, strong carries and strong set piece. The cohesion paid off with Hove securing their first try in 5 minutes after a couple missed tackles. The conversion was missed. With the true spirit of our vets team, they came back firing and managed to bag a try of their own through the strong running of Jamie Gache who had a storming tournament. Conversion was missed.
The game ebbed and flowed with neither side making use of possession other than to scamper a few metres or so in the blistering heat and then cough up possession to the opposition. Unfortunately, in a moment of lapsed concentration Hove managed to sneak a try in under the posts with the conversion successful this time. The game looked all but done, until cometh the hour, cometh the man, Steve Lampkin saw an opportunity to break through the Hove defence, beat the covering full back and dive over the try line, Ben Gray able to make the conversion giving G’s the draw in the first fixture of the day.

EG 5 vs 19 Haywards Heath 1/2
Having leant Unsworth to Haywards Heath for their previous game against Hove, we were hoping for some sort of bonus for doing so but sadly none came. Haywards Heath had lacked a front row for the day but what they lacked in Front row they made up for in their backs who were exceptional all tournament. Sadly a one sided affair with only a Jamie Gache try to save face.

EG 10 vs 5 Hove 2/2
Having drawn the 1st half of this game, G’s were eager to come away with the victory overall. However, the bodies were starting to break. Unsworth had to come off after hurting his elbow, Fulham was walking wounded from the moment he arrived having contracted a serious case of man flu the night before. But the boys got to it and put their best foot forward. Try scorers, once more Jamie Gache with his 3rd of the tournament and East Grinsteads very own “Benjamin Button”, Ali Moffat, getting his name on the score sheet with a well worked try from a well planned “Ali baba” call where Burger launched a pass from the base of a ruck just inside the 22 to hit Ali at 12 who then set off at pace around the defence and score under the sticks.

EG 0 vs 14 Haywards Heath 2/2
Nothing to add here. Ali Moffat scored a try for Haywards Heath in their game against Hove so we take the moral victory.

A great day was had by all members of the squad who braved the conditions (far too hot for vets rugby) and came away with smiles on their faces.
This has been the first season In which we have seen a vets side take to the field since the 2016/17 season. We managed 3 fixtures with 42 players in total taking part. Sussex RFU have made some noises about a vets competition next season which we are eager to take part in. If you are also interested then please do get in touch with the club or Morgan Burger on morganrlburger@gmail.com