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Sat 09 Oct 2021 · Sussex 3 Central
East Grinstead II
1st Team
24
27
Tries: J Tomas, H Cooke (2), L EnglandConversions: H Cooke (3)Penalties: H Cooke
Match Report - East Grinstead II vs Royals RFC 09/10/2021
Justin Hewgill14 Oct 2021 - 08:10
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First league win
Royals RFC arrived at the airport bright and early for the first flight out to Gatwick. With a not quite full roster of players available to fill our allocated number of plane seats, was going to be a tough game and with the opposition still an unknown there was a real air of excitement and trepidation amongst the team.
The game started with some tight early exchanges, and the intensity of the ensuing match was clear to see for the large number of attendees. Royals made some good line breaks early on but were unable to capitalize on a few potential scoring opportunities, however the early pressure eventually rewarded the away team hooker, Joao Tomas, with the first 5 points off the back of a slick Royals rolling maul from a 5m lineout. Harry Cooke converted. EG 0-7 Royals.
A good period of pressure from East Grinstead at the resulting kick off forced Royals to defend resolutely in their 22 before the hosts pulled a try back from close range. 7-7. However a turn over from man of the match Tiernan Dillon, on debut, allowed space for Harry Cooke to score under the posts. 7-12. It proved to be a quick fire double for Cooke as he finished a flowing move from inside Royals’ half which he then converted. 7-19.
East Grinstead were looking to hit back before the end of the half, some strong carries forcing a dominant scrum 5m out ultimately leading to a second EG try. 12-19. Cooke had the last word of the half, slotting a penalty to give Royals a 10 point cushion at half time – 12-22.
The second half started much like the first with neither side quite managing to get the breakthrough. Eventually the host of fresh legs for the home side started to tell, with East Grinstead managing to get some ascendency and eventually forcing a try to bring the score to 19-22. An interception 5 minutes from time then allowed the hosts to take the lead for the first time in the game. However backs against the wall, Royals dug deep to force a turnover in the dying stages, with winger Lyam England finishing a full team move as the last action of the game to give Royals the maximum 5 points to kick off the first round of Sussex 3 league matches with the score line 24-27.
Royals RFC secured their first ever league campaign with a tight win at the death against the experience East Grinstead side and its safe to say, it’s a win that will go down in the Royals RFC history books!
The game started with some tight early exchanges, and the intensity of the ensuing match was clear to see for the large number of attendees. Royals made some good line breaks early on but were unable to capitalize on a few potential scoring opportunities, however the early pressure eventually rewarded the away team hooker, Joao Tomas, with the first 5 points off the back of a slick Royals rolling maul from a 5m lineout. Harry Cooke converted. EG 0-7 Royals.
A good period of pressure from East Grinstead at the resulting kick off forced Royals to defend resolutely in their 22 before the hosts pulled a try back from close range. 7-7. However a turn over from man of the match Tiernan Dillon, on debut, allowed space for Harry Cooke to score under the posts. 7-12. It proved to be a quick fire double for Cooke as he finished a flowing move from inside Royals’ half which he then converted. 7-19.
East Grinstead were looking to hit back before the end of the half, some strong carries forcing a dominant scrum 5m out ultimately leading to a second EG try. 12-19. Cooke had the last word of the half, slotting a penalty to give Royals a 10 point cushion at half time – 12-22.
The second half started much like the first with neither side quite managing to get the breakthrough. Eventually the host of fresh legs for the home side started to tell, with East Grinstead managing to get some ascendency and eventually forcing a try to bring the score to 19-22. An interception 5 minutes from time then allowed the hosts to take the lead for the first time in the game. However backs against the wall, Royals dug deep to force a turnover in the dying stages, with winger Lyam England finishing a full team move as the last action of the game to give Royals the maximum 5 points to kick off the first round of Sussex 3 league matches with the score line 24-27.
Royals RFC secured their first ever league campaign with a tight win at the death against the experience East Grinstead side and its safe to say, it’s a win that will go down in the Royals RFC history books!
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