Eastleigh (E) made the journey up to Twickenham for a fantastic game of rugby to be played mid Jan, conditions held out in Hampton with just a gust coming across the field in the typical fashion.

The Side, Forwards;
Joey, Penson & Fyles in front row, skip Banks & Dowden at locks, with Luke, Mooro & Mo completing the pack.
Backs; Biff & Mike partner at halfbacks with Jash & JH in the centres finalised by Goddard, Rose & Fozzy at the back.
Replacements; Puff, Chris & debut Arthur Polley.

E got the game underway and the initial 15 minutes was completely dominated by the visiting side, Ts new this was going to be a tough one considering this was a side they lost heavily to earlier on in the season. However, on home soil Ts were a different outfit, although finding themselves defending a lot early on Ts were able to keep them at bay, Fozzy, Biff, Mike & Goddard, all putting boot to ball relieving the pressure when needed. It wasn’t until 20 minutes in that Ts then began to get a foot in the door, slowly working their way up the field forcing mistakes from their D and putting the pressure on at set piece meant Ts were in the E half for the first time around 20 minutes into the game.

Constant pressure and great structured rugby meant Ts marched their way right into the 22 where they then won a lineout deep in the red zone. Consistent phases organised by Biff allowed the forwards to edge ever so closer until Fyles was able to make it 5-0, Fozzy missed the extras. The restart went straight into touch and Fozzy was again able to pin E back into their 22 from the scrum restart, a pen was then awarded Ts way forcing the mistakes and again went to the corner for another lineout 5 metres out, E, went on to turn over and clear their lines.

The interlink play from both forwards and backs was some of the best we’d seen all season from Ts and this then resulted in the forwards mirroring the first try to get over once again as Banks dots down, Fozzy again unable to add but the gap now 10-0. Again E were unable to keep the ball infield from the restart and like a carbon copy Fozzy pinned E back into their 22 with a nudge from the centre field scrum. Winning the scrum from the lineout Ts were in great attacking position just before the break, keeping the ball tight Ts didn’t need to do anything too fancy before Mooro gets a half break and offload to Speakin who was screaming for it … to make a break, hit Mo who clearly wanted to hold on but executed the 2v1 perfectly for Goddard to make it 15-0 which would be the score at the break.

Ts get the game underway, Chris makes his way onto the field for Luke but not the best start with an early pen against him. This would be the downfall for Ts as a unit over the next 20 minutes, not prepared how much E would come out the blocks Ts were caught off guard. E kept the ball tight using their strong running sizeable runners not only in the pack but out wide also. The momentum had clearly shifted. Although E were clearly the better side the start to the 2nd half it still took E 15 minutes before they awarded their first score which came in the form of a penalty try, 15-7 the score. Ts reacted well with a getting to the oppo’s 22 to be awarded a pen and Fozzy extended it to 18-7.

However, E knew they weren’t out this game and proved why they currently sat 2nd in the league before this fixture, using their massive pack their rolling maul and amount the phases in Ts 22 they finally closed the gap again, 18-12, Ts needed to switch this up, Puff was now on the pitch due to Joey taking a nock to the now much better looking Noggin, with a tough task ahead of him. (The noggin’s better looking not Joey). But as much as Ts wanted to get their hands on ball and dictate the game it would be E who kept coming and coming, with only 12 minutes on the clock E were within 1 point as another score out wide brought it to 18-17. Jash had to make his way off the field as Arthur got his debut, and some tactical positional switches were also made bringing on Luke & Mo once again.

Tactically things then changed, wise words from Banks got our heads back in the game and Ts knew they had to change things quickly or this game was going to get away from them! Straight from the restart Ts force the error, awarded the scrum, then playing the ball in hand and hovering around the E 22 Ts got the scrum. The decision for the corner was elected, was this a Robshaw 2015 moment or would this be different. The rolling maul marched forward as the crowd got behind them and the messiah Penson got the BP score, but typical Fozzy missed the conversation once again, making it 23-17 with only minutes on the clock.

Ts deep in their half from the restart then went wide, JH & Rose link up brilliantly to get just outside the 22, Biff goes wide and Mooro, and Arthur work brilliantly to keep the ball alive and Ts get the lineout 5 metres from the opposition line. A set piece move opens up the E defence leaving the winger flatfooted and beaten, but Fozzy, who has nobody to beat, nothing but try in front of him, steps nobody and gets tackled a metre out, Ts awarded a penalty but the try was left begging. Banks tells Fozzy to make it more than a score as he does and makes it 26-17.

Eastleigh didn’t just roll over though, they knew there was 2 points up for grabs here if they got another score, the way this league is going at the moment it could come down to bonus points at the end, but Ts held out, Banks was sent to the bin with a minute remaining but Ts scramble and wrap up the W.

What a game, Ts didn’t make it easy on themselves but Eastleigh proved the side they really are in this league! Twickenham are away to Farnham this week.

MOTM; with a number of huge performances from Joey, Fyles, Banks, Biff, JH & Mike it was definitely over to the forwards and nobody was more disruptive than Mo.

DOTD; easy choice, Fozzy missed 4 for 4 conversions and found a defender in acres of space.

Thanks for the read guys
Until next time.
JH