Sunday 9th October 2011
Hastings vs Eastbourne (Cup)
Final score: 0 - 0
Match Programme: 
Eastbourne U12s at the Hastings & Bexhill Festival, 9th October 2011
Match 1: Hastings & Bexhill 0 - 15 Eastbourne
Match 2: East Grinstead 5 - 5 Eastbourne
Match 3: Warlingham 0 - 0 Eastbourne
Match 4: Uckfield 0 - 0 Eastbourne
Overall Result: Runner-Up Pool A
A dull and damp day was forecasted for what is usually the season-opening festival, but that honour was taken last weekend at Haywards Heath. Traditionally Eastbourne have struggled to get motivated here, but neither the team or the weather forecasters could have predicted such a sunny outcome to this October weekend!
Once again the U12s were entrenched in 'Pool A' alongside some unknown opposition as well as regional regulars. But at this level no team can trade on last seasons form and so the first match against Hastings & Bexhill had to be approached with respectful diligence. From the first whistle Eastbourne made clear their intent, and the flowing rugby witnessed last week was in full flow once again. It wasn't long before Loose Head Prop Louis Wood profited from a well-worked line out to take the ball with his usual grim determination across the opposition try line. Eastbourne continued to profit from the quick ball at the hands of the well coordinated back line, with another well worked try resulting in a score by Outside Centre Angus Bingham. The second half saw Eastbourne continue to profit from this rich vein and it wasn't long before a third try was scored. An inch-perfect line out saw the ball passed out to Fly Half Harvey Warren who spotted Full Back Luke James making a scorching diagonal run from deep to take the Hastings defense by surprise. This training ground move was a joy to watch and testament to the hard work the boys put in during Sunday training sessions. Result: Hastings & Bexhill 0 - 15 Eastbourne
A diligent approach was certainly needed in the second Pool match against an East Grinstead side that last week witnessed first hand a display of ruthless flowing rugby at the hands of Eastbourne with a 6-try to love outcome. But beware the wounded tiger - East Grinstead came out all guns blazing and were determined to redress the balance. But, there is a noticeable change in the determination of the team this year, and this proved itself with Eastbourne able to absorb the pressure from a rejuvenated East Grinstead. Despite this, East Grinstead did eventually manage to break through the resilient Eastbourne defense to score a try. For much of the game, possession ebbed and flowed between both teams, and with time ticking away Eastbourne needed a try to ensure progression through the competition. Eastbourne were awarded a penalty deep in their own half which was duly dispatched across the side line just 10 meters from the East Grinstead try line. The resulting line-out saw Number 8 Haydn Allport snatch the ball tight under his arm and steamrollered the opposition on his way to a thunderous dive across the try line. The game was poised on a knife edge for the remaining seconds of the game, but it ended in a draw which was a fair result considering East Grinstead's surprise return to form. Result: East Grinstead 5 - 5 Eastbourne
Following a two-match rest for the team, their next opponents were Surrey club Warlingham. From the physical size of the team it was clear that this was going to be a bruising encounter, with the forwards having to raise their game to neutralize the impact of the clear weight advantage. With Warlingham constantly resorting to crash ball at the hands of one of their goliaths, the game was never going to be pretty, but some superb defending meant that this sustained heavy attack was thwarted at every attempt. Particular praise should go to Full Back Luke James whose own fiery determination prevented the relentless Warlingham from registering a score. Despite one or two break-away attacks from Eastbourne, the team never quite managed to spread the ball out fully to the wings to exploit an unusually wide pitch, with the game ending in a hard but well earned try-less draw. Result: Warlingham 0 - 0 Eastbourne
The last Pool A match would be against our favourite local rivals Uckfield, with both teams in need of a clear win to stand any chance of progressing through to the final against the winners of Pool B. This added pressure made for an extremely close-fought encounter and as the first half finished try-less it was clear in the players minds that whoever scored first in the second-half were likely to walk away with the spoils which added even more pressure. One or two injuries to the Uckfield players resulted in a stuttering game and it was hard for both teams to gather any real forward momentum. With that said, Uckfield never troubled Eastbourne's 22 during the second half which is real testament to the newly motivated and determined Eastbourne. The game had to end slightly prematurely after a further injury to an Uckfield player. With no stand-out individual performances this week, it is proof that Eastbourne are working better than ever as a TEAM, and despite another try-less outcome they remained UNBEATEN and ended as runners-up in their Pool for the second festival in a row, which is their best ever result at this Hastings & Bexhill Festival and extends their unbeaten run to 6 matches. Result: East Uckfield 0 - 0 Eastbourne
Man of the match/festival is voted for by fellow team players via www.teamer.net, and once again could be an impossible call based on such an outstanding TEAM performance! The result of the vote will be published in 5 days time on the U12s webpage at www.eastbournerugby.com. A big THANK YOU to all the coaches, team manager, parents and team sponsors, and a huge WELL DONE to all the players.
MOM (via teamer.net): Aaron Brown/20% (Full Back), Callum Carlton/20% (Second Row), Mason Dowle/20% (Hooker), Louis Greenfield/20% (Second Row), Louis Wood/20% (Loose Head Prop)
