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| East Grinstead 3 |
| Friendly, Away |
| 8th November 2008 |
| Won 30-10 |
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| Starting 15 |
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| 1 |
Hightower |
| 2 |
Big Gay Al (c) |
| 3 |
TinTin |
| 4 |
Horse |
| 5 |
Jamie |
| 6 |
Dan |
| 7 |
Charlie |
| 8 |
Roland |
| 9 |
Chi Chi |
| 10 |
Tim |
| 11 |
Grant |
| 12 |
Chemist |
| 13 |
Soap |
| 14 |
Tunde |
| 15 |
Yids |
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| Impact Players |
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| 16 |
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| 17 |
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| 18 |
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| 19 |
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| 20 |
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| 21 |
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| 22 |
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A much changed team made the trip to East Grinstead
expecting and delivering a win. Despite several players missing through injury,
and several more unavailable for selection, the team put in a determined and at
times dogged performance in very tough conditions. The game started under the
shadow of uncontested scrums, a fact which always takes a huge sting out of the
Norfolk tail, and perhaps that can be blamed for some lapses in concentration
in a fairly scrappy game.
The Norfolk got off to a great start with a try for Dan Robinson after he side
stepped a defender and set off for the line. Tunde Osibogun scored next after
he jinked past several defenders, Charlie Cambell playing his last game for the
club before a ski season was next to get on the score sheet with his typical
power and pace personified. The third try was magnificent, in that it was
sparked by the genius of Captain Ali Hoare when a gap a mile wide opened in the
defense leaving a simple three on one. Hoare passed to Osibogun who convinced
the defender enough to give Matt Laker space to finish on the wing. Laker still
had to go through one last tackle and as always exhibited what size, strength
and speed can do with ball in hand. After such a good beginning, it was
inevitable that there would be a slump, the game was effectively over as a
competition after the first quarter and as a result, the focus drifted
somewhat. East Grinstead had not given up after all and rallied for a try after
a penalty and a driving lineout.
The half time breather and moment to refocus did the trick, and despite a much
improved focus, the Norfolk only managed one try for Martin Newark, who took a
pop pass from Matt Laker this time the provider, and accelerated away through
the gap. The Home team managed another score as well after a loose ball fell in
the goal area and was pounced on by the happy EG player. In a remarkable season
to date, and following the elation of last week, it was inevitable that a lull
would follow. Especially as there were several changes to the team and much
tougher conditions. The whole team worked hard throughout and some people
deserve special mention. Charlie Cambell has been awesome all season and will
be sorely mist when he trots off on a ski season. Big Jim Palmer played a full
80 and worked tirelessly in the loose always making every effort to attend
breakdowns. Grant Jones took his Arms debut with aplomb despite never having
played before, he improved with every touch of the ball and made some good
tackles in spite of his giving away a few kilos most of the time. Horley RFC at
home next week, key in preparing for Seaford away in the Sussex Shield, the
next tier up from the plate won last year. |
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