Essex Eagles V Sussex B

Although the record books will show this as a loss, the Eagles should not be to despondent having participated in a very entertaining game between two evenly matched teams where the lead was exchanged on a regular basis. The commitment for the day for the Eagles was to improve on their last performance against a physically bigger side than Middlesex with a side weaken by a number of last minute withdrawals. Overall they did well and should have won the match.

These games however need to be won and the Eagles having regained the lead with less than five minutes to go failed to shut the game down and allowed Sussex the critical territorial advantage which turned a 29 - 24 position into 29 - 31. The final coup de gras delivered very effectively by Sussex in the last thirty seconds of the game however summarised the Eagles problem throughout the match as their attention dropped and they failed to organise quickly enough in defence. In attack the Eagles were always a threat but as often is the case at senior rugby the base game must come from a solid defence, something that can be worked on.

An outstanding game by Alex Deacon at full back who played with total commitment showing cool nerve under the high ball and great courage in the tackle.