Sussex Police 5 v Pulborough 2's 24 or 26

Pulborough 2's got back to winning ways with a trip down to Brighton to play 'da police'. Weighing up the opposition in the warmup, they were pleased they were fielding a strong pack. As the clouds rolled in, and with it the rain, the monsters in the other pack suggested this could be a real upfront battle.

The standard pregame rant about starting hard and fast obviously had little effect. The opposition overheard though and adopted the tactic. Sluggish in defence, 'Boro let the Police brutality get the better of them. Their big ball carriers and strong 9/10 partnership punished the slow start and bundled over to take an early lead. 5-0.

With 20 minutes of struggling to get a foothold in the match, the boot of James Nettlefold was being relied upon to repeatedly get out of trouble. But sure enough the defence tightened up and matched the aggression at the breakdown and 'Boro started to make some progress up the pitch.

With a 'Boro lineout on the 22 scrum half Will Akers spotted a gap big enough for even him to fit through and released Nettlefold, who only had the fullback to beat. After doing so with ease he duly converted his own try. 5-7.

Straight from the kick off the Pirates were on the march again after Marc Livesley intercepted a pass and made 30 metres up the pitch winning a penalty in the process. With pressure mounting Andy 'beardy' Bates won a scrum against the head and wise old no.8 Garry Kidner popped to Will Akers who was able to use his bulk to drag 3 defenders across the line to score. 5-12.

Halftime came and went quickly with both sides eager not to stand around too long in the deteriorating weather. The Police started strong again pinning 'Boro back on their line. With heroic efforts from Chunky Nye, Marc Livesley, Stu Standing and Ben Sadler the defence held firm.

A short stoppage due to injury arrested the Police momentum and the Pirates started to dominate territory. Joel Baker made good ground with a chip and chase up the line and was unlucky not to collect his own kick. Charlie Williams blasted off the bench to force a turnover and carry strongly setting up a good position for the Pirates. The ball was spun out to Jack Corbett. After deciding to quit whinging about the cold for a few seconds he drew in a few players and when the ball ended up in Oscar Gravell's hands there was only one outcome. He did well to beat the defence and touch the ball down on the line for another try. Converted by Joel Baker. 5-19.

Playing with confidence now 'Boro pushed up the pitch with Oli Bamber making ground and Ben Sadler stealing more opposition ball. After Jack Corbett was face-planted by an extraordinary tackle he resumed his whinging. But minutes later managed to float a pass out to Bamber again to run in a well-worked try and finish the game. Converted again by Baker. 5-26.

It was great to win in difficult conditions against a physical side, after the disappointment of the last outing. Special mention to Alan Nye, the original pirate, with a strong 80 minutes in the scrum and around the park after returning from injury. Jack Corbett for looking comfortable out of position (aside from the shivering). Oscar Gravell running and tackling strongly. And man of the match this week goes to Will Akers, being fairly unfamiliar at scrum half but being a constant threat.

1 R Dicks 2 M Coral 3 A Nye 4 M Livesley 5 S Standing 6 J Leddra (c) 7 B Sadler 8 G Kidner 9 W Akers 10 J Nettlefold 11 S Bartholemew 12 J Corbett 13 O Bamber 14 J Baker 15 O Gravell 16 A Bates 17 C Williams 18 C Borthwick

Tries- W Akers, J Nettlefold, O Gravell, O Bamber

Joe Leddra- 2nd XV captain