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Blue & Golds advance
in ill-tempered affair
Eastbourne progressed in the Junior Vase national competition but at some cost.
The Eastbourne scrummage totally destroyed the US opposition from the first scrum to the last.
Despite changes through injury, the forward momentum was unstoppable. Less attractive was the failure to maintain discipline and play to the referee.
The use of seven yellow cards and one red by the official tells its own story to the extent that neither side had 15 men on the field for the whole of the second half. Added to the disorder was a serious back injury to a US player; the result was a scrappy affair with no real credit to either side.
Eastbourne led 5-3 at half time. Having conceded three points to an early penalty, the only score for the home side came from a well taken try scored by Luke Sage in the corner, following an excellent drive by loose forward Redman.
Stuart Beard opened the scoring after the break as Eastbourne looked to take full advantage of the sloping pitch.
This was followed a few minutes later by the best try of the game. Andy Curtis soared high in the line out, slipped the ball perfectly to Mottram who started the momentum from which Joe Bettles was able to claim a textbook score at the back of the maul.
This try was beautifully converted by Nathan Ring who was enjoying another classy display in the centre. Despite being reduced to 13 men, the home side continued to press and a surging break and sleight of hand by Chilvers gave winger Rob Fenner an easy run for the try line.
The US team spirit had broken and further indiscipline followed from both sides. In the last play of the game however, Nathan Ring again showed his prowess with a well taken opportunity which he converted for himself.
The 29-3 score line was a reasonable reflection of the game but the lasting impression was less memorable.
Eastbourne: Barron, Bettles, Webb, Chilvers, Mottram, Redman, Hancock, Tobin, Aitkenhead, Cousins, Sage, King, Ring, Fenner, Clark
MoM: Joe Bettles
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Weather for Eastbourne
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 5 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 5 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: North west
