Seaford I vs. Burgess Hill I
Saturday 1st March 2008

Final score: Seaford 14 vs. Burgess Hill 13

Team: B.Carron, S.Curwen (J.Morgan), R.Foster (B.Lane), D.Williams, P.Joy, S.Webb, J.Anderson, D.Newby (Capt.), A.Booth, B.Cox, C.Burns, N.Everson, H.Smith, P.Burns, S.Baker
Sub: M.Tait

Seaford hosted their second league game against Burgess Hill on a typically gusty day at the Salts. This game held great importance, not only for league points, but also as a charity cup game. Both teams were playing to win the Hollyrood Cup, with all proceeds going to the Disabilities Trust. Over £150 pounds was raised through a raffle with prizes donated by the Seaford players.

The Disabilities Trust is one of the UK’s leading national charities, offering high quality care, rehabilitation and support for people with physical disabilities, autism, acquired brain injury and learning disabilities. Hollyrood in Lindfield supports 32 adults with autism spectrum conditions and is the only specialist residential service of its kind in West Sussex. It also runs two four-bedroom community homes for people who are able to move towards living more independently. Hollyrood’s excellent facilities, including its on-site day centre, woodwork and pottery workshops, greenhouse and fully-equipped sensory room, offer residents the opportunity to develop key skills, realise their potential and enjoy a high quality of life.

For further information about The Disabilities Trust and how you could get involved in fundraising to support disabled people in your community, please contact Victoria Lawrence on 01444 237263 or at victoria.lawrence@disabilities-trust.org.uk.

Burgess Hill started the game with unexpected energy, scoring their first try within thirty seconds. Seaford had kicked off and Burgess Hill played the ball out to the wing immediately, whilst Seaford were still composing themselves the winger sprinted up the side line and scored the points. Due to the extremely strong winds the conversion attempt blew wide.

Seaford quickly found their feet and drove the play well into Burgess Hill’s half. Seaford battled with Burgess Hill’s defensive line for the next twenty minutes, despite the strong attacks and two gorgeous breaks by Ben Cox and Stuart Webb, Seaford were unable to secure any points before Burgess Hill regained possession and cleared the ball.

The next stage of play took a turn for the worse, seeing James Anderson being sent off. Anderson has witnessed an off the ball incident, to which he reacted, resulting in the referee producing a red card. Burgess Hill went without any penalisation during this play.
Despite Seaford being a man down, they were quickly playing the ball back into their opponents half and trying to get the score that had as of yet not appeared. As Seaford were concentrating so intensely on the offensive play, when Burgess Hill turned over the ball and passed it out to their speedy winger, Seaford were caught off guard. Mirroring their first try, the winger sped up the sideline from the half way line, dodging the defensive tackles, and sprinted over the try line for his teams second try. Again, the winds blew the conversion attempt wide.

Seaford kept their heads held high and their minds focussed and this led them to achieving their first try points before the interval. The ball was back in Burgess Hills’ twenty-two, for the countless time, and as Burgess Hill regained possession Chris Burns saw an oppurtunity and intercepted a pass between defenders. Burns jumped up for the interception and ran it over the try line for a well-deserved Seaford try. Cox judged the strong winds to his benefit and slotted the conversion between the posts. This took the hosts into the end of the first half a mere three points behind the visitors.

The second half saw a similar story to that of the first, Seaford maintaining the majority of the possession within Burgess Hill’s half.
Burgess Hill showed great defensive endurance, but still eager for another try were pushing harder towards Seafords half. Burgess Hill had a few promising chances for further tries, fortunately for Seaford however, Burgess Hill’s mistakes denied them these points.
Fifteen minutes into the second half Burgess Hill increased their lead by a further three points after Seaford were penalised for a pressured mistake.

The game continued evenly weighted until ten minutes before the final whistle. Seaford were reduced to thirteen men as Ben Lane was sin binned for his conduct on the pitch. Seaford were six points behind, in need of a converted try to win the game. The tension and passion on the pitch was inspiring as Seaford gave their all to get these final points. Eventually, with the last play of the game, Captain Danny Newby took his team to victory with a great try to remember. Seaford were awarded a penalty within yards of the try line, the ball was span out to Newby who powered his way over the line taking the defence with him as he crashed to the ground. Cox set up for the conversion, the game on his shoulders, and sailed the ball through the posts to win Seaford the game. The Seaford players and supporters then erupted with celebration after a truly tense and challenging game.

After the game, the players announced their man of the match as their own Captain, Danny Newby. Newby choose to pass on the honour of man of the match to Pete Joy, who had also had an outstanding game.

Seaford face Crawley away next week for another crucial league game.

Report by Georgia Raeburn.
Photo by Paul Ungoed