Nomads secure rare win in Jersey to go top! Jersey Royals (18) v Eastbourne II (19)
Saturday 18th January 2025 • Match report by
Eastbourne Nomads made the early trip on Saturday for a tough away fixture against the Jersey Royals, who haven’t lost a home game since April 2024.
Despite the long journey, the Nomads came out firing, stopping early hard runs from the Royal’s back line with big hits from Louis Paal and Michael Morehen. This led to 2 kickable penalties before the 30 minute Mark, calmly slotted by experienced fly-half Martial Chaput in his first away game of the season to put the Nomads 0-6 up. The tempo was relentless, but the determined Nomads defence repelled multiple Royals attacks within 5 metres of their try line, including several crucial turnovers from captain Cam Burleigh. This led to the frustrated Jersey side opting for a penalty kick to make the score 3-6 at half-time.
The Royals, with 8 on the bench, rang the changes, and the combination of fresh legs and close decisions going their way resulted in the Royals scoring two unconverted tries in 5 minutes to take the lead 13-6. Despite the poor start to the 2nd half, the Nomads kept up their robust defence and came close to scoring tries of their own with hard runs from Luke Thomas, Maximus Smith, and Tom Line, but
Richard Barron
were often stopped from progressing by ruck or tackle infringements, resulting in the Royals getting 3 yellow cards in 30 minutes. The game continued to be an arm wrestle, with Chaput scoring 2 more penalties either side of another unconverted Royals try, making the score 18-12 to the Royals with 4 minutes remaining. Given the early start and ferocious pace, the Nomads coaches feared a losing bonus point was the best we could hope for , but the players dug deep, carried effectively, and gained 2 penalties, the last of which resulted in an Eastbourne lineout. 5 metres from the Royals try line. With the last play of the game, the Nomads recovered the ball from a messy lineout, executed a good carry, and got the ball out to fly-half Chaput, who spotted a gap, rolled out of the tackle to score a try next to the posts, bringing the score to 18-17 still in favour of the Royals with the kick to go. In the final act of the game, Chaput then calmly slotted the conversion to give the Nomads a famous 18-19 win!
Man of the match goes to Martial Chaput for his game management, kicking accuracy, and scoring all the Nomads points! A special thanks to Bob Bremmer of Sussex Cars 726726 for again providing minibuses to the airport and his constant support for the team and club.
Eastbourne RFC suffer defeat on the road to league contenders Old Rutlishians.
Old Rutlishians (43) v Eastbourne (24)
Saturday 18th January 2025 • Match report by Owen Davies
After losing out to Old Rutlishians at home in the final play of the match, Eastbourne travelled up to Poplar Road with a point to prove. After a good start to 2025, Eastbourne were chomping at the bit to pick up some points on the road.
Old Ruts kicked off on a crisp January, playing from left to right. Eastbourne immediately put themselves under pressure by not clearing the ball from the kick off and quickly found themselves 7-0 down. Eastbourne responded well with some sustained time in the Ruts 22 and earned themselves a penalty after some good phase play. Captain Jake Howe slotted the kick to bring the game to 7-3. Eastbourne started to enjoy some time in the oppositions half and the pressure was getting to the home side, a mistake in the backline provided Howe with a chance to grubber the dropped ball and score under the posts. After successfully converting his try, Eastbourne now lead 7-10. Ruts were not disheartened by Eastbourne success and quickly kicked a penalty of their own to bring the scores level.
Just before half time, Eastbourne were able to take advantage of a solid set piece, provided by the lineout, and the backs had quick ball. Aaron Hossack broke the line and linked up with ever present Leon Wood who scored Eastbourne’s
second try. After Howe successfully slotted the conversion, Eastbourne went into the break 10-17 in the lead.
The start of the second half took Eastbourne by surprise as Ruts came out firing, scoring within minutes of the kick off. The game was now poised at 17-17, all to play for. The possession now switched hands many times with Ruts taking their chance first to regain the lead, quickly followed by a second try making the score 31-17. Eastbourne forwards once again provided a solid scrum, allowing the backs to put into practice what they had rehearsed on the training paddock with Dylan Viles cutting though the defence to bring the visitors back into contention at 31-24. This however is where the Eastbourne come back was halted with Ruts scoring a quick try to take the home side further ahead. In the final seconds, Eastbourne were pushing for their fourth try of the game and the chance to salvage points on the road but Ruts had different ideas, nicking the ball and going the length of the field to bring the final score to 43-24.
Eastbourne had some flurries of brilliance during the game but too many mistakes against league contenders proved too fatal on this occasion.
Kayla Power represents U19 GIRLS OVERSEAS LIONS IN HONG KONG
Kayla Power travelled back to Hong Kong over the festive break to participate in the annual New Year showcase game. This event brings together players from Hong Kong or those who have previously played there to train for a couple of weeks before a squad selection is made. The selected players are then divided into two teams: the Overseas Lions and the Hong Kong Dragons, who face off against each other. Kayla was thrilled to represent the Overseas Lions. She is a fantastic asset to our team, and we are incredibly proud of her achievements so far, with many more to come.
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Eastbourne (38) v Twickenham (38)
Eastbourne and Twickenham share spoils in entertaining clash!
Saturday 4th January 2025 • Match report by Matt Pysden
Eastbourne returned after the Christmas break to play out a very entertaining 38-38 draw with Twickenham in rugby’s Counties 1 Surrey/Sussex division.
The game started at a very fast pace and the high flying Twickenham got off to a strong start with an early try and conversion.
Eastbourne eventually gathered themselves and replied through Dylan Viles playing at centre, the try was converted by captain Jake Howe to tie the game up after 20 minutes.
The home side had a period of real pressure looking to play wide and stretch the bigger side. Eventually joint man of the match Mason Dowle scored his first of a Hatrick out wide.
Dowle crossed again and this time the conversion was kicked before Twickenham scored on the stroke of half time to go into the break with the home side 19-12 up.
Twickenham were very lucky to have 15 men on the pitch following a head shot on Jake Howe which the referee deemed legal to the surprise of many.
Twickenham started the stronger after the break, using their size advantage and Eastbourne’s tackling went a miss for large chunks of the second half. Twickenham scored and converted to take the lead 19-21.
Paul Smith was sent to the bin for 10 minutes after collapsing a maul on the try line to save a certain try. Twickenham looked certain to score next with the amount of pressure they were putting on the home side.
Mason Dowle had different ideas and went the full length of the pitch after intercepting a pass to score under the sticks for Howe to convert. Owen Davis was next to score for Eastbourne capping off a fine performance and Howe converted to give Eastbourne a 10 point lead.
Unfortunately Eastbourne conceded a pointless yellow card through back-chat to the referee from Ollie Horley. Twickenham then scored 17 unanswered points before they conceded a yellow card and Ollie Horley made up for his earlier childish comment with a powerful run after Eastbourne put Twickenham under real pressure for the last 5 minutes.
New dad Aaron Hossack kicked the final conversion to tie it up and 38-38 was a very fair result on an entertaining day.
Man of the match was shared by Ben Gower, for a superb all round game and a massive tackle count, and Mason Dowle, for his attacking and great defensive work at the back of the field.
© Chris Warner
© Chris Warner
© Rob Lacy
© Rob Lacy
© Rob Lacy
© Rob Lacy
© Chris Warner
© Chris Warner
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