Return to Contents   TOP                                Return to Competitions head                                 

Sussex  Rugby 
Football   Union

1883

Rugby for all  - in all of Sussex

R.F.U.

SUSSEX UNDER 20's COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

Team Sponsor 

  Manager : Steve Christian - 01243 789253   07712187949    email:christiansr@hotmail.co.uk

Lead Coach      Paul Colley      01252 347469   07940 950606
   email paul.colley@onearmymarketing.co.uk

                                  UNDER 20'S FIXTURES 2008
                       Hampshire v Sussex                       Winchester RFC           Sunday  2nd March

EXPENSES - UNDER 20'S SUSSEX SQUAD
CLICK HERE to download an expenses claim form
 All completed forms are to be returned to Steve Christian for approval, prior to payment

Sussex Under 20's XV v Hertfordshire U20's at Chichester 18th February 2008

               Sussex front three hold all the trumps
                     Sussex U20 31 – Hertfordshire U20 15

 Following Sussex’ last minute defeat to the Army on the 27^th January it was quite clear to everyone in the Sussex camp that nothing less than a win against Hertfordshire was required.

 The game played, in absolutely perfect conditions, at Chichester RFC got off to a really bright start for the home county with a try after three minutes. The score came from a line out on the Hert’s 5-metre line, which prop Ash Halsey (Haywards Heath) was able to drive over the line for the first score, which was converted by scrum half Joe Govett (Haywards Heath).   Sussex then had a period of complete domination over their opponents that they were unable to take full advantage of because of some really fundamental passing and receiving errors, which culminated in a dis-allowed try because of a forward pass!!   The Hertfordshire Stags then pressed the Sussex defence towards the end of the first half of the game and were rewarded with a successfully taken penalty. However it was Sussex that finished the half in the ascendancy when, after thirty - five minutes, the Sussex pack were able to drive a 5-metre scrum over the try line for Chris Johnson (Chichester) to score. This try was on once again converted by Govett.

 Sussex therefore went in at half time having dominated play for almost the whole half, with a 14-3 lead.

 The second half started pretty much as the first half had finished, with Sussex making immediate territorial gain deep into the Hertfordshire half, following a Hertfordshire knock forward from the kick - off. This culminated in a line out on the Hert’s 5–metre line which prop Adam Day (Worthing) was able to drive over the try line for the front rows hat-trick of try’s. Yet again Govett was absolutely reliable with his kicking and he converted the try with a fine kick.  Sussex then threatened to overwhelm Hertfordshire and Herts where only really saved by a catalogue handling errors by Sussex. However, their sustained pressure resulted in a try for winger Richie Adams (Havant) when he gathered a well-weighted chip to run the ball over the line for a deserved score.  There then followed a period of good possession for Hertfordshire when they were able to prove to the host side and the crowd gathered at Chichester that they too could play attractive running rugby and they were able to score two tries in fairly rapid succession.    However, Sussex finished the final minutes of the game very strongly and Phil Dicken (Chichester) received the ball at pace to charge the ball over the try line for the final score of the day.As with all the previous tries, the score was converted by Govett, whose four conversions and a penalty added significantly to the days tally and the final result of 31-15.

 On reflection, this was a good display of running rugby being orchestrated by a powerful pack, but Sussex must ponder on the twenty-five plus points that they did not score as a result of poor ball handling. Surely, if this happens when they play Hampshire at Winchester RFC on Sunday 2^nd March (KO 1415) then they will be soundly punished!!