Eastbourne U14s 31 Hastings & Bexhill U14s 0

Sunday saw the season’s opening game at Easbourne, who will be competing in the “A” league this year and who have already played two warm up matches against challenging opposition. The match represented an early opportunity to see what improvements have been made to the team and where further work is required to meet the challenges of the ‘B’ league.
 
The game’s opening exchanges soon revealed the huge improvements the squad has made in pre season.  The team took up excellent field positions and the rucking was full of purpose and determination.  The sound scrummaging, which formed the base of last seasons performances, continued to be reliable, thanks to the efforts of front row trio; Charlie Wells and Matt Baker at prop and Laurence Maynard at hooker.
 
An effective line out emerged as another avenue of ball retention, with No 8; Sam Clarke, jumping athletically and protected well by his fellow forwards.  This gives the team a huge advantage when kicking for territory or from penalties.  Addressing a significant problem from last season.
 
As the game progressed Eastbourne’s physical advantage emerged, drawing, as they do, on ‘rugby playing’ schools in their area, where the top sportsmen don’t automatically turn to soccer.  The tried and tested tactic of pummelling a narrow channel to suck in the defence before spreading the ball wide to the exposed flanks was employed to good effect and the H&B boys struggled to contain them. The back three of Sam Surridge, Jack Dixon and Russell Reid worked really hard to cover, making a number of last-ditch tackles between them.
 
As the rain came down ball handling became difficult and H&B’s expansive game faltered with dropped passes. Several Eastbourne players demonstrated impressive strength, driving through the H&B defence and, inevitably, missed tackles proved their downfall. Clearly, the success or failure of H&B U14s season will rest on their ability to tackle effectively and the coaching team will continue to focus on improving that aspect of their game.
 
Despite the score-line, the overwhelming impression of the performance was one of great improvements and a clear progression. Max McKeown, at fly half, showed the confidence and ability to kick intelligently, Adam Baker continued to impress in mid-field, both retaining and winning possession and Jack Mather terrorised the opposition from the open side. Notable performances from all positions on the park and plenty to look forward to.

Wing, Russel Reid, puts in another tough tackle

Adam Baker rips possession from Eastbourne

Scrum-Half Dan Evans, sends the ball away from a ruck

Sam Surridge and Max McKeown double up on Easbourne's powerful ball carrier

Centre, Adam Baker, pounces on Eastbourne ball as Jack Dixon clears out.

 H&B defensive line at the ruck

Another solid scrum

No. 8, James Burton, breaks from the back of the scrum