First back-to-back wins for Pulborough

Pulborough secured back-to-back wins for the first time this season in London 3 South East as they picked up a bonus-point victory over Uckfield at a wet and windy Freelands.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Nov 2015, 09:10 BST

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Line-out action from Pulborough RFC v UckfieldLine-out action from Pulborough RFC v Uckfield
Line-out action from Pulborough RFC v Uckfield

Winning the toss, the home side opted to play with the wind in the first half which turned out to be crucial as the conditions changed at the break.

Despite the wet weather, the Pulborough pitch stayed firm and it wasn’t long before the first try was scored as Ben Miller charged onto a loose ball and kicked on before winning the foot race to dive onto the ball with Frazer Oliphant-Hope adding the extras.

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Uckfield found themselves with a man in the sin bin and an already dominant Pulborough pack won the ball at the scrum and Andy Hodgkins used the blind side to draw defenders and make a wide pass for Miller to score again.

Action from Pulborough RFC v UckfieldAction from Pulborough RFC v Uckfield
Action from Pulborough RFC v Uckfield

Oliphant-Hope added a penalty for a 15-0 lead and Pulborough then crossed the Uckfield whitewash again this time through captain Simon Burfiend, who profited after patient work in the 22.

Miller then looked destined to score a hat-trick on the wing, until a high tackle saw another Uckfield player yellow carded, a penalty try and 27-0 lead at half-time.

Uckfield came back into the game in the second half, but the Pulborough defence remained solid, although repeated offsides saw penalties given away and resulted in Richard Nichols, Micky Clay, and Harry Perry being carded.

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Uckfield added a penalty, while tremendous work from Gus Oliphant-Hope saw him secure two turnovers when Uckfield looked certain to score.

Eventually the defence was broken and Uckfield scored from a break, but the hosts were to have the final saw as prop Guy Baxter performed an impressive juggling act allowing him to dive over under the posts.

Burfiend said: “Next week we are playing Heathfield away. With the opportunity to move up to third in the table with our first away win it is important that everyone makes themselves available for selection. Not only for this match but the run up to Christmas where we will be facing the top three sides in the league.”

Pulborough: Clay, G.Oliphant-Hope, Baxter, Nicholls, Reed, Bullock, Jack Leddra, Hodgkins, O.Paige, Aviss, Perry, Burfiend, F.Oliphant-Hope, Miller, D.Paige. Subs: Blunden, Baldwin, Hoey.

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Related topics:Uckfield