Last-day defeat can’t spoil successful Eastbourne RFC season

After being promoted last season to the very challenging Counties 1 Surrey/Sussex division, they have more than held their own and have finished sixth out of 12 with a record of 10 wins, one draw and 11 losses.

Eastbourne travelled to Weybridge for the final game of the league season.

The away team had a couple of forced changes to their regular side, but the new additions didn’t disappoint, especially Owen Jones on the left wing, who had a particularly good day at the office.

Eastbourne started the stronger sticking to a new pattern which really stretched the much bigger side for the opening 30 minutes.

But Eastbourne did not capitalise on a lot of penalties until the opening try in the 30th minute scored through Jake Howe.

They really should have been further ahead at this point in the game.

Weybridge Vandals, who are a class outfit, were not going to spend the whole day on the back foot and would eventually wake up and get it together, and they scored a somewhat lucky try on the stroke of half-time and then an excellent try just after to lead 12-5.

The home side were now finding their feet and Eastbourne could not contain them and were missing far too many first-up tackles and eventually they would succumb to the much bigger home side’s hard running lines and excellent handling.

Eastbourne battled to the end and kept trying to get in positions to earn a loosing bonus point, but it was not to be, and three tries and three conversions in the last 10 minutes made the score look slightly unfair on Eastbourne.

However Weybridge were well drilled, very organised and extremely powerful.

It was a good lesson for Eastbourne, if they want to be near the top next season, of what is required at this level.

Thanks went to Weybridge who put on a great show after the game and hosted Eastbourne in a joint end-of-season do.

Meanwhile. it’s not of course just about the first XV at Park Avenue.

The Eastbourne Nomads (second XV), who were also promoted last season, finished fourth with nine wins and five loses.

That makes two very solid seasons for the ever-improving squad.

The squad now turn their attentions to the Papa John’s national cup in which they face Bognor in round two on April 20.

Before that match, chairman James Stevenson will be hosting a chairman’s lunch.

The Eastbourne third team are also in action that day at Seaford in a cup final, so there is still a lot to play for and achieve before the season is officially over.