If that's the end of the rugby season, at least Bognor ended on a high

With the potential of this fixture being the last of the season becuase of the Covid-19 virus, Bognor were determined to put on a show against Eastleigh twos - and did.
Bognor in action against Eastleigh II / Picture: Derek MartinBognor in action against Eastleigh II / Picture: Derek Martin
Bognor in action against Eastleigh II / Picture: Derek Martin

They were fired up and, from their own kick off, retained possession to progress up field and score within the first five minutes.

Lee Balchin was the beneficiary of the immediate efficiency, dotting the ball down out wide.

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From what seemed to be an easy score, the home side became complacent and Eastleigh soon responded with a try of their own to make it 5-5.

Bognor on the charge against Eastleigh II / Picture: Derek MartinBognor on the charge against Eastleigh II / Picture: Derek Martin
Bognor on the charge against Eastleigh II / Picture: Derek Martin

The next score came from Bognor as Shane Stevens attacked the wide channels. A series of silky offloads between him and Connor Herrington found Josh Burgess, who bewildered the last defender with his footwork before scoring his first of the day, 12-5.

Eastleigh offered little more in attack but held off the waves of green, purple and white for almost the entire remainder of the half. These waves came in the form of Chris Webb and George Castleton with bulldozing runs, Jeremy Newton Young with pressurising kicks and Freddie Hayes with flair and creativity out wide.

Burgess, on the stroke of half-time, found the chink in Eastleigh’s armour. Scooping the ball from the back of a 5m scrum, he darted towards the whitewash and slid between the sticks. Newton Young’s conversion was successful and it was 17-5.

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The second half began in polar opposite fashion to the first. Marc Voigt was shown yellow for an infringement at the breakdown and the pressure from his absence was evident. The hooker’s absence resulted in the temporary departure of winger Chris Hay and the introduction of Adam Groome into the front row.

Bognor v Eastleigh II / Picture: Derek MartinBognor v Eastleigh II / Picture: Derek Martin
Bognor v Eastleigh II / Picture: Derek Martin

An Eastleigh scrum 20m from the Bognor try line provided a good platform for them to execute a move that saw their hard-hitting 12 rumbling through the centres and over for a try. Conversion successful, 17-12.

Lapses in concentration proved to threaten Bognor’s chances of holding on for victory but fierce defence ensured Eastleigh were to score no more on the day.

Adam Knight, Balchin and Webb worked tirelessly to drive Eastleigh back while Newton Young and Sam Newcombe scrambled effectively to snuff out any threats out wide.

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The fourth try, and bonus point earner, came from persistent pressure in the last 10 minutes. Consecutive forward carries put Eastleigh on the back foot and, when the opportunity arose, Stevens was rewarded with the simplist of tries out wide, thanks to swift hands from Newton Young. Conversion good.

Man of the match was Balchin.

Bognor: Webb, Voigt, Benjamin, Stevens, Knight, Balchin, Castleton, J Burgess, Newcombe, Newton Young, Hay, Millen, Burnett, Hayes, Herrington.,Groome, Foote, Southern.

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