Pulborough RFC edge closer to a perfect league season

‘Boro trailed 5-0 at half-time to Brighton II but a much-improved second half saw them run out 15-5 victors to the delight of their coach.

“There is not another team playing in Sussex this season in any league with as good a record as the Pulborough 1st team,” Clayton Saunders said. “Played 16, won 16, points for 614, against 88. Average scoreline of 38-5, which I think is fantastic, and really shows the hard work the boys are putting in at training is paying off.”

Pulborough won the toss and elected to play into a strong wind, planning to rely on their strong defence to keep Brighton out. It didn’t go to plan however as the visitors dominated from kick off. From some hard-hitting runs and excellent running lines from their large pack, Brighton caught ‘Boro asleep to score in the first five minutes.

Pulborough did step it up a gear after some strong words from their captain Seth Wise, and though most of the first-half was played in the home 22, Brighton were not able to break their defence for the rest of the match.

With the wind behind Pulborough the second half was a different story. Scrum half Will Boulton’s box kicking kept pushing Brighton deep into their own half, and after sustained pressure Hamish Godman-Dorington, playing at number 8, crashed over.

Pulborough’s hard work on fitness has seen them score most of their points in the final 20 minutes and this week was no different. With Brighton struggling to keep up with the pace Henry Lee, in only his second game back from injury, beat his opposite number and jogged in for Pulborough’s second try, converted by Will Truscott, who added a late penalty to make the final score 15-5.

Godman-Dorington was man of the match for a brilliant running game and his bone-crunching defence.

Boro: M Blunden, A Bates, T Turner, S Standing, F Caddick, Jk Ledra, S Wise (c), H Godman-Dorington, W Boulton, F Olliefont-Hope, W Scrase, H Lee, W Truscott, W Ackers, C Mears, G Kidner, Jo Ledra, B Game