EDRU National Squad Training Weekend

There are times as a coach when I walk away from a training session or a match with a heavy heart, a need to drown my sorrows and a resolution to pack it all in and enjoy more time with the family. This weekend in the City of Brighton & Hove was not one of these times and only came close in the early hours of Sunday morning when I woke up, rolled over and couldn’t help noticing that the sheets had fallen off the near naked figure of Grant Payne in the next bed!

The weekend was intended to give the new Head Coach, Ian Davies, a second opportunity to see and assess players both training and playing against good class opposition. Did we succeed in this intention? I think the results speak for themselves.
The training was lively and productive throughout the weekend with key sessions provided on Saturday afternoon by Mick Orton of Rhino and Haywards Heath, and our own Neil Zanger. Sadly both Gavin Jackson and Rob Hill picked up injuries during these sessions and were unable to actively participate in Sunday’s match.

Sussex U20s, a side brimming with quality players very familiar to the coaching staff and myself, provided the opposition with Richard Phillips as the referee. A good-natured crowd of some 500 people, including senior Sussex RFU officers and next year’s RFU President Bob Rogers, watched the game – and they were treated to a gem!

From the first whistle the England side pressured Sussex, not allowing them to leave their own half for 13 minutes. This pressure eventually paid off when Scott Badcock finished off some incisive back play to muscle over for a try (with a lot of persuasion it may be possible to pry out of him the finer details of this fine achievement).

Nick Doyle’s conversion was followed by periods of equally good continuity play and resolute defence, which culminated in a try for Matt Gilbert as he powered over in the corner. This was converted by fly half Harry Boyle and the teams turned around with a score line of EDRU 14, Sussex 0.

As expected the start of the second half saw the young Sussex side playing with increased vigour and determination and after 3 minutes Tom Lamante scored in the corner followed by another try for Anthony Leather 15 minutes later. This last try was converted by Oliver Luke and with the score at 14 – 12 the grizzled warrior and Deaf Captain Jacko was ripped from the hands of the physio and returned to the fray.
Jacko’s return steadied the England pack and when Sussex had two players sin-binned a period of try line pressure eventually enabled Danny McAllister to score his first try for his Country.

Sussex responded promptly with a second try for Lamante after a good kick and chase but a second try for Matt Gilbert in the last minute secured the game for England with a final score of 24 – 17.

This was an exciting game of rugby in which the experience and passion of the England players finally overcame the technical ability and youth of the Sussex side. Close to the end of the game I spoke to one of the watching officials from Sussex RFU and asked him for his opinion on the game. He replied that he didn’t have a clue what the score was but that the winner was the game of rugby. That both sides managed to maintain their shape and performance despite the considerable number of substitutions on both sides is a credit to all concerned.

Finally, thanks to all concerned in making this weekend work and a special thanks to Sussex RFU and Hove RFC for their considerable hospitality and generosity.