Seaford 5th Dec 09

Seaford II 38 Cinque Ports 17 (HT 12-17)

Strong Winds blow away Cinque Ports chances

Cinque Ports travelled to Seaford for their first league game for a month, knowing that the sea front location of their hosts would make it a challenging visit. A swirling wind and sticky pitch greeted the CPR and from the kick off it was apparent another challenge would face Cinque Ports- Seaford's strong ,direct running style. After a long kick off with the wind behind CPR Seaford recycled and crashed their way up the field to score an early try. Another kick off, this time a sliced kick by captain Paul Smart meant a scrum which CPR held well in the centre of the park. Seaford again tried the battering ram approach, but this time the CPR defence held strong. A selection of offences by Cinque Ports put Smart near the posts with a penalty attempt that dropped short, but CPR were in control at this point. Winger Lloyd Barthropp made his first of many breaks down the left flank, he was denied and burly prop Rob Tritton was also held back on the crash after recycling Barthropp's ball. A period of chaos saw Seaford driving back but a dangerous blind side break was stopped by Dean Dedman, from the break down Smart went on a dancing, jinking lateral run. The Seaford defence seemed unsure what to do, Smart offloaded to Rob Fink who drew the marker before allowing Barthropp to slip through again for Carl Malthouse to finish. Smart converted the move he began with the two points. Another scrappy period saw Seaford again rumble up the field to score and convert. An injury to winger Lloyd Waughman saw the return of Craig Barningham. The big back row forward bringing some direct running to the CPR team. Barthropp seemed to be causing problems down his wing, and a penalty from his break saw the CPR scrum inch towards the line before Dave Butcher was held up after picking up a fraction too early. Moments later a similar situation saw the CPR wheel the scrum slightly to allow Butcher a clearer path which he took to score from 3 yards. Smart converted. Smart also slotted a penalty to see CPR 17-12 up at half time.

 
The change of half saw an enforced change in tactics, the wind meant that Smart's teasing kicking game was replaced by a more direct style. Andy Salmon and Mark Wright providing powerful impact running, the back rowers of Barningham and Dedman also acted as battering rams. The strong scrum was disrupted in the second half by the enforced changes to props Tony Lawlor and Rob Tritton and second rower Tim Gough. Seaford's direct style was now supplemented by a kicking game and four tries were run in without answer. This only tells part of the story, Malthouse came close to scoring a second. Dale Whittington playing in the centres caused numerous problems with the aggressive running of Fink almost finding the gap. Coach Bill Langley named Paul Smart and Mark Wright as his men of the match. "Mark Wright was strong in the set piece and a good support runner and Paul Smart led well and controlled the backs". Manager Gavin Thomas agreed “Smart again proved his importance to the club but I think all 19 representatives today played with ferocious commitment against a quality outfit". The referee commented after the game that the CPR pack was a powerful part of the team, and the club has advanced a great deal since he last refereed Cinque Ports Rugby four seasons ago. 

  
CPR is still looking to recruit more players to the club, www.cinqueportsrugby.co.uk for club and training details.
 
Team: Lawlor (Berry), Wright, Tritton (Thomas), Gough (Goodenough), Parker, Dedman, Whittington, Butcher, Eastwood, Smart, Barthropp, Salmon, Fink, Waughman (Barningham), Malthouse

Seaford 5 Dec 09