East Grinstead 31 - Holbrook 8

SUSSEX SPITFIRE LEAGUE 1
EAST GRINSTEAD -V- HOLBROOK
31 - 8
Following a long Christmas break and having had their game last week called off Holbrook were desperately short of match practice going into this game. This was compounded by a struggle for players, due to ongoing injuries and unavailabilities in key positions.
However, it was Holbrook who started the game with early points as early pressure soon saw Alex Meredith open the scoring with a well taken penalty and this was soon folowed by an opportunist try by center Andy Etherington. As East Grinstead attempted to run the ball out of defence, a loose pass allowed Etherington to gather the ball on the 22 and make for the line, a tackle just short appeared to have prevented the score, however, using his momentum Etheringto was able to scamble over.
At this stage all looked promising, however, as the game progressed the Grintead pack took more and more control and Holbrook spent the rest of the half defending and had little ball of their own to trouble the opposittion. Any aortie into the Grinstead half was soon foiled and the ball returned downfield by the astute kicking of the Grinstead Fly-Half from his armchair behind a strong pack.
Just on half time Grinstead finally broke through when Holbrook ran out of numbers in defence, score 7-8.
With the Holbrook lineout already surprisingly struggling, a decisive blow saw main line out man, Steyne Van De Mewre leave the field. A major point in the game and from then on Holbrook's lineout was under as much pressure as it's retreating scrum. This left little good ball for thre backline, although from the little ball they did get they were often able to break through the Grinstead defence, unfortunately, without sufficient support to com[plete a try.
The second half saw the Grinstead pack gain more supremacy and driven on by their Fly-Half's tactical kicks they were spending long periods in the Holbrook half. Only good defence from the Holbrook fifteen prevented the score being greater as the inevitable tries started to appear. Holbrook Scrum Half, Chris Collier, had a bruising afternoon at the base of the scrum as he constantly had to dig the ball out from a retreating pack with the Grinstead back row harrassing him at every opportunity, However, as always he led the defensive effort, tirlessly tackling and was well supported by centres Nick Holt and Andy Etherington, both of whom also looked dangerous with the little ball they got in hand.
With the score at 31-8 with 15 minutes to go it did look as though Holbrook might collapse and conceede even more, not to be, Holbrook regrouped and started to play some adventurous rugby as they worked to get back into the game. Several fine attacks only being thwarted through a lack of numbers at the breakdown as players tired.
So, an unwelcome defeat for Holbrook, although given the relative strengths of the two packs they did well to compete as much as they did. They finished on a high playing some good rugby and that will do them good. Now that the Christmas cobwebs have well and truly been blown away a couple of good training sessions should restore them ready for next weeks game against Chichester.