After a successful league performance finishing 2nd in Counties 2, East Grinstead qualified for a national competition, the Papa John’s Cup. This competition sees the top 2 teams from each level 8 league nationally entered into a knock-out style race, with the final being played at Twickenham stadium.

East Grinstead drew Old Ruts away in the first round, an unknown team that promised to be a physical challenge.

G’s started strong with a kick off and pinned Old Ruts in their half for the first 12 minutes. Lots of ball retention, phase play and nice combination between backs and forwards carrying ball. The defence stood up to the onslaught and despite going close to the line, Old Ruts cleared the ball and charged up the pitch to put the pressure onto East Grinstead. After some good expansive play, they found space with their rapid winger to take the lead with a try in the corner. 5-0 to Old Ruts.

The next 15 minutes was an arm wrestle, with East Grinstead playing the better rugby and holding possession well but squandering opportunities. After some strong defensive pressure from Old Ruts they turned ball over, and with a lucky bounce of the ball, managed to find some space to cross over once again. 12-0 to Old Ruts.

G’s understood that the next score was critical and under a minute from receiving the kick off Jake Radcliffe scored the first points for EG in the corner after demolishing their back 3 with pace and agility.

Half time. Old Ruts 12 – 5 East Grinstead

It was a great half-time for EGRFC and they came out with a laser focus and grit into the second half. The first 10 minutes of the second half was all East Grinstead. Hard carries up front with the forwards created space across the pitch. Devon Frost and Ben Saunders scoring tries and Dan Poulton converting one and adding a penalty to the tally. 12-20 to EG.

Then it was Old Ruts time to shine and for the next 10 mins they mounted an attack of their own scoring with their wingers once more and adding a penalty to make it 22-20 to Old Ruts with 20 on the clock left to play.

The average age of East Grinstead played a large factor in the outcome of this game as mature heads steered the ship to win two penalties back-to-back in front of the posts and push the game to 22-26 to East Grinstead with 10 to play.

Old Ruts were frustrated and that was apparent when their newly subbed on prop targeted EG number Connor Leggat for a physical conversation, resulting in both players being red carded.

G’s maintained possession on the Old Ruts 5-meter line following the incident and pushed to wind down the clock with forward carry after forward carry trying to make some space and won a penalty with 3 mins left on the clock, which would take them to a converted try ahead.

The kick struck the post plum in the middle, bounced back and was collected by Old Ruts inside their 22 and tried to move the ball quickly. East Grinstead defence pushed across to shut down the space but Ben Saunders, who had a very good game up to this point, misjudged a tackle and was shown a yellow card for a high tackle.

G’s down to 13 men with 2 mins on the clock. Old Ruts used the penalty to march down the pitch for a line out on the EG 22. They had the smell of victory in their nose and had their tails up, pushing the ball from one side of the pitch to another. G’s defence was exemplary, and they stopped the ball a number of times from crossing over the line. In the chaos Guy Collins, who had also had a good game up to this point, was also given 10 mins in the bin.

G’s down to 12 men in the 83rd minute of play. Old Ruts tried to suck in the East Grinstead players and eventually went wide, hoping to get the ball to their winger. James Mitchell cut down their centre with a textbook tackle, allowing Ryan Morlen to turn the ball over and win the penalty.

Final Score. Old Ruts 22 – 26 East Grinstead.

Wonderful cup game and hugely competitive, great win for the boys in blue and white.

G’s have drawn Oakmedians in the next round, with a home fixture on 15th April.

Onwards.