Cinque Ports run out of steam against strong Eastbourne side

Eastbourne III 33 - 13 Cinque Ports (HT 7-8)

With both teams sat just above the relegation spots in Sussex 2 East this was always going to be a toughly fought battle. Cinque Ports seemed up for the battle travelling with a strong squad of 22 including a large number of front row replacements. Where the previous game had been an open display of running rugby this started in biting cold conditions with the ball tucked up in the forwards. Eastbourne seemed to be controlling the ball in the early exchanges and there was an early let off for the visitors when the referee blew up for a penalty with the line gaping. Murray Whittington also put in a big tackle to halt the Eastbourne charge. Carl Malthouse also put in notable tackles in the opening battles. Whittington also showed his capability in offence with a good break. As the game wore on Cinque Ports became more of a presence. Dean Dedman stripped the ball from an Eastbourne forward before shipping the ball to Malthouse who made a good skittering run. From the break down Luke Price then charged into space catching the defence unawares, he was caught but offloaded the ball to Rob Fink. The Czech winger touched down after flirting with the touch-line. Paul Smart could not convert from the flank. The game broke down a little at this point, both sides gave away a number of penalties and passing was wayward for both teams. Malthouse showed great awareness though to intercept one of the wayward passes and an offence at the ensuing ruck allowed Smart another opportunity which he slotted for three points. With the lead CPR were still looking to go forward, another ripped ball gave Smart the opportunity to open play before Fink was denied for his second. Whittington also made another streaking break before offloading to Chris Eastwood. The captain also denied close to the line. Eastbourne were also dangerous though and they found their way through a gap in midfield to score. The conversion made it 8-7 at the break.

With a lot at stake the second half started with a number of crunching tackles from both sides. The arrival of Ross Kearney as a second half sub gave Cinque Ports some forward impetus, and from his run another penalty was given. Rumbling the ball up field Whittington broke free drawing two tacklers before putting over Rob Pantry-Meyer for his first try. From the tight angle Smart was unsuccessful. Pantry-Meyer was then replaced by Gavin Thomas, the veteran Welsh man coming on for his 100th appearance the second CPR player to achieve this landmark. Eastbourne also made some key changes and the substitutions made a difference. Good forward work allowed them to rumble in a try to make the gap a single point. Eastbourne's tails were up and another converted try put them in the lead. With the balance of power shifted Eastbourne were in greater control of the ball but Cinque Ports still looked to move it forwards, both Whittington & Kearney both repulsed on the line. With the game ticking away and Eastbourne controlling the set piece they ran in two quick tries at the end where gaps opened up because of tired legs amongst the CPR ranks. Eastbourne took the league points but the gap in scoreline didn't reflect how closely fought a battle it was.

Team Manager Gavin Thomas reflected on the day "I think it was a game that was there for us, but fair play to Eastbourne that was a strong XV they put out and in the end I think they were more clinical than us. That said we showed real willingness to take the game to them and the backs looked really fluid throughout". Team: Dedman, Wright, Tritton (Giles), Pantry-Meyer (Thomas), Wan, Malthouse, D Whittington, Barningham, Eastwood, Smart, Fink, Hanny (Perry), Price, M Whittington, Waughman (Kearney) Subs Not Used: Mahoney, Chambers, Langley