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Ports lose out in Downpour!
East Grinstead III 20 Cinque Ports 0 (HT 10-0)
A week is certainly a long time in rugby, after the sun and hard flat pitches of Heathfield ports found themselves facing a powerful East Grinstead side in torrential rain and swirling winds.
Ports fielded a team containing no fewer than 13 players over the age of 30, but did welcome back Czech flyer Rob Fink after an extended lay off. The conditions defined the game from very early on, both sides spilled ball but at the set piece a well drilled East Grinstead side dominated and this meant the St Leonards based Ports were on the back foot. Despite this East Grinstead found it difficult to score, Fink and flanker Gary Swift were aggressive in defence causing East Grinstead to lose the ball in attacking positions. Prop Dave Butcher stole a lot of ball at the breakdown, Butcher also worked well in open play causing problems in the opposition defence. East Grinstead did score two first half tries, Ports attacking edge was not as obvious as previous games but Fink, Swift and Dale Whittington split the defence on occasions.
In the second half Ports were down to 14 due to injury but stuck manfully at the task in hand. Swift and powerful runner Craig Barningham regularly breaking the gain line, East Grinstead scored another two tries as the weather worsened. Eventually handling the ball for both sides was almost impossible and the game became very stop-start due to errors. East Grinstead were deserved winners showing greater intelligence at the breakdown, but a strong defence performance by Ports which was praised by their opposition.
Ports Rugby Manager was realistic about the performance "We faced a well organised side, who were better suited to the conditions but we showed a new facet to our play today. We were aggressive in defence and possession, and demonstrated our ability to match physical sides". Gary Swift was named as man of the match for his aggressive performance in attack and defence.
Cinque Ports Team: Butcher, Wright, Berry, Maplesden, Davies, Thomas, Swift, Barningham, Smart, Doorey, Price, Whittington, Fink, Watts, Sams
A week is certainly a long time in rugby, after the sun and hard flat pitches of Heathfield ports found themselves facing a powerful East Grinstead side in torrential rain and swirling winds.
Ports fielded a team containing no fewer than 13 players over the age of 30, but did welcome back Czech flyer Rob Fink after an extended lay off. The conditions defined the game from very early on, both sides spilled ball but at the set piece a well drilled East Grinstead side dominated and this meant the St Leonards based Ports were on the back foot. Despite this East Grinstead found it difficult to score, Fink and flanker Gary Swift were aggressive in defence causing East Grinstead to lose the ball in attacking positions. Prop Dave Butcher stole a lot of ball at the breakdown, Butcher also worked well in open play causing problems in the opposition defence. East Grinstead did score two first half tries, Ports attacking edge was not as obvious as previous games but Fink, Swift and Dale Whittington split the defence on occasions.
In the second half Ports were down to 14 due to injury but stuck manfully at the task in hand. Swift and powerful runner Craig Barningham regularly breaking the gain line, East Grinstead scored another two tries as the weather worsened. Eventually handling the ball for both sides was almost impossible and the game became very stop-start due to errors. East Grinstead were deserved winners showing greater intelligence at the breakdown, but a strong defence performance by Ports which was praised by their opposition.
Ports Rugby Manager was realistic about the performance "We faced a well organised side, who were better suited to the conditions but we showed a new facet to our play today. We were aggressive in defence and possession, and demonstrated our ability to match physical sides". Gary Swift was named as man of the match for his aggressive performance in attack and defence.
Cinque Ports Team: Butcher, Wright, Berry, Maplesden, Davies, Thomas, Swift, Barningham, Smart, Doorey, Price, Whittington, Fink, Watts, Sams
