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RFU Junior Vase First Round
Newick 1st XV 60 Cinque Ports Rugby 0 (HT 24-0)
A tough draw in the first round of the prestigious RFU Junior Vase saw Cinque Ports leave their Grove School St Leonards base for a visit to leafy Newick. Fellow Sussex side Newick sit two divisions above the Cinque Ports RFC and this meant a tough game was always very likely. The first moments though seemed to be fairly evenly matched as a well drilled Newick side shifted the ball cross field quickly, making the CPR defence tackle at points right across the field but Cinque Ports also caused issues for the Newick defence. Czech born winger Rob Fink found gaps in open play and his aggressive running saw Newick clutching at shadows. Captain Greg Stokes at outside half also provided an attacking fulcrum, dancing out of tackles and playing an interesting kicking game with a selection of testing chips and punts. Newick used a very mobile back row effectively, and this is where the tries originated- strong running releasing the pacey backs. Cinque Ports Rugby never surrendered though, scrum half Chris Eastwood seemingly finding impossible gaps to scurry through and Newick's willingness to kick deep regularly brought full back Carl Malthouse into the game. A confident performance from Carl Malthouse saw him deal with the high ball effectively catching it every time and provide an extra attacking dimension with some dynamic running. Carl Malthouse was also unlucky with a penalty 25 metres out tight to the touchline on half time which hit the upright post.
Unfortunately these positives were not enough and regular scores saw the score board ticking over, and the Sussex Intermediate team took complete control of the game. After the misfiring set piece against Folkestone it was good to see a fairly secure scrum and line out- but first phase ball was still hard to come by and Newick used their first phase ball effectively to release a very effective back division. Team manager Gavin Thomas saw the positives "Newick are a good side, and there is no disgrace in losing to them- but they also acknowledge that we caused problems for them all around the field". Head Coach Bill Langley said "This was a good test for the team at the start of the season, we are optimistic that Cinque Ports RFC will be well placed in the league this year."
Carl Malthouse was named "Cinque Ports Rugby Man of the Match', with novice winger Lloyd Barthropp gaining an honourable mention for a strong debut in defence- the young wing er also promising a lot with the ball in hand. Both Chris Eastwood and Rob Fink were able to make searching runs into the Newick defence. Kevin Parker jumped consistently well in the lineout the whole game.
The Sussex South East three league campaign starts on Saturday, away to Eastbourne 4th XV, kick off 3.00pm.
Team: Wright, King, Lawlor, Butcher, Maplesden, Dedman (Thomas), Parker, Bamingham, Eastwood (Earle), Stokes,
Barthropp, Whittington, Price, Fink, Malthouse
Cinque Ports Rugby 1st XV September 2009
back row
Head Coach Bill LANGLEY, PARKER, WRIGHT, EARLE, MAPLESDEN, STOKES, BARNINGHAM, DEDMAN, THOMAS, WHITTINGTON, BUTCHER, Coach Terry DOOREY.
front row
FINK, STOKES, EASTWOOD, LAWLOR, KING, MALTHOUSE, BARTHROPP, coach Andy SMITH
