East Grinstead III 27 - 10 Cinque Ports (HT 17-3)
Despite this being one of the longest journeys of the season CPR still had a squad of 19 available for this 6th vs 7th league clash. East Grinstead as expected of the home team had a very strong team available too, with a much younger team than the one that had visited St Leonards earlier in the season. East Grinstead started strongly, playing their usual brand of direct rugby and very nearly scored within the opening seconds before Ross Kearney put it in a great last ditch tackle. Strong defence was a feature of Cinque Ports play, and the East Grinstead drive was repulsed with Paul Smart relieving pressure with an intelligent kicking game. The tide changed and from a line out Dean Dedman and Craig Barningham both surged forward, and Carl Malthouse was unlucky not to score before being caught high on the line. The game ebbed and flowed throughout and EG were back in CPR territory, Malthouse put in a strong tackle to stop the quick penalty. Tackling was a strong feature throughout Smart, Rob Fink and Rob Tritton all particularly impressing with aggressive tackling. The game was becoming increasingly frenetic with a very high penalty count for both sides. From penalties the hosts scored two quick tries, with the rolling maul a very strong feature of their game. A yellow card for Kim Wan and a well kicked penalty then put them in a 17-0 lead. Cinque Ports did not stop fighting and Ben Hanny and Dale Whittington were strong attacking presences. Whittington's running caused problems as he ghosted through gaps and Hanny smashed into contact dragging in tacklers in a desperate attempt to stop him. Both had a hand in a strong attack that was repulsed with a huge kick that Kearney returned before being yanked down with a high tackle. Smart drilled home the penalty.
The second half saw Lloyd Waughman replace Kearney and he started where Kearney had left off, a dangerous counter attacking presence and was unlucky on a number of occasions not to score particularly when in possession of the ball when the ref blew up to give a CPR penalty rather than play the advantage. The half started with East Grinstead scoring another try again from a penalty position. The rolling maul again a major feature. East Grinstead scored another try in short order, confusion at the ruck allowing them to slip through a gap. Cinque Ports still looked to attack, Hanny as always looked dangerous and was inching ever closer. His centre partner Luke Price also looked a handful with some strong bursts. Whittington continued to look dangerous and on two occasions was dragged down close to the line, his galloping stride becoming an increasing feature of the second half. In the last quarter it was fair to say that CPR were on top but another rolling maul found the hosts near the line. A penalty gave possession to Cinque Ports in their own 22, rather than kicking for territory a quick tap was taken. The ball quickly worked through the hands, the defence assuming Hanny would take the contact converged on him but the ball found Price who released Fink. The Czech flyer ate up the yards leaving the defence trailing but was tracked by the opposition full back. Before the tackle could be made Fink offered up the pass to Chris Eastwood in support and the captain scored under the posts. Smart converted. Whittington came close again but the clock ticked down to give the home team a win in a closely fought game.
Team manager Gavin Thomas was positive despite the loss "East Grinstead are always tough at home, and as always played some very direct rugby. We gave them plenty to think about though, and showed we could play the direct stuff too. I also think the try was one of the best we have ever scored, and shows how dangerous we can be around the field"
Head Coach Bill Langley named Price as man of the match, citing his "effort" and "willingness to run everything". Whittington was also praised for his attacking play, Nick Giles for a great effort in loose and scrummage and Smart for game management
Team: Giles, Wright, Tritton (Thomas), Wan, Barningham, Malthouse, Whittington, Dedman, Eastwood, Smart, Chambers (Pantry-Meyer), Hanny, Price, Fink, Kearney (Waughman) Sub not Used: Langley
