Hastings & Bexhill  22 - 37    East Grinstead

Another game where H&B could and should have won but due to lack of numbers only 13 on the day H&B lost it in the last 10 minutes. East Grinstead’s squad of 20 enabled fresh legs on when needed. H&B’s boys made up a full team with Dave Waters playing with a fractured hand, Scott Sherwood recovering from a thigh strain, Ollie Fisher bruised fingers but they tired as the heat and speed of match took its toll.

First score went to Tommy Craig as H&B forwards dominated from the k.o. (5-0) next Harrison Cox crossed the line to extend the lead after good rucking (10-0). East Grinstead then settled down and began to run the ball away from the powerful H&B pack and by ½ time the game was back all even. (10-10).

After the restart EG pulled in front for the first time (10-15) until Ollie Fisher pulled back the score (15-15) EG regained the lead as H&B started to tire (15-20) Then came the try of the game as from the restart Archie Meikle gather the ball on the 10m line running around the defence appearing to be caught at the last moment but wriggling out to cross the line levelling the scores. Converted by Olli Fisher. (22-20). Then with 10 minutes left EG with the fresher players on the park pulled away with 3 unanswered trys.

Man of the Match Archie (2 Try ) Meikle