Horsham vs East Grinstead in recent times has been a bit of a local derby as a few East Grinstead players also go to Collyers. Following a defeat by a last-minute penalty last season the boys were determined to build on recent weeks and come out on top.

Horsham didn't start well with Horsham's eagerness to play the ball in the hands rather than use the blustery conditions combined with a number of infringements led to some early EG pressure. However, the boys have been working hard this week on defence and are starting to enjoy the battle near the line. This allowed them to repel the early pressure with some good defensive sets and began to assert themselves and along with some intelligent kicking giving some good field positions. It was one of these kicks which lead to the opening score, a low kick which fell in a corridor of uncertainty between the fallback and winger allowing Tom Sanders to capitalise and run away to score. Horsham added another penalty before halftime from Olli Colombo following another period of pressure near to the EG line. It wasn't all one way, some moments of poor concentration in the Horsham defence allowed EG to exit to their halfway line and only some determined defensive cover prevented a score. HT 10-0

The second half Horsham were into the wind and got off in fine style with a score which would have been worthy of the RFU try of the week. A move from a lineout just outside their 22 swept up the field, multiple phases from the training ground using backs and forwards finished with a cross-field kick and a neat layoff for Tom Sanders to cross for his second. Devastatingly the referee was unsighted for the grounding and although there were no EG players near decided he couldn't award the score. A phase one move from the resulting scrum did see Horsham cross the line thankfully with a good Fin Rutherford score. Rugby is a game that can quickly catch you out and EG were not going to fold and responded with a try of their own, a number of strong forward carries eventually broke the green line. Perhaps haunted by last week Horsham stepped up again, a good driving lineout opened a space and with a quick recycled ball saw hooker Benny Brown crashing toward the line. His arm went up to salute his fans but it was a bit early perhaps as the covering defender closed in. Thankfully for Benny the other arm was able to reach out and make the line. This was converted by Sam Thurston 22-7. EG made the final score with a long-range interception try which raised anticipation of a comeback but Horsham closed out the game.

Overall Horsham should be pleased, another good team performance improving on last week and building towards the big quarter-final cup tie against Worthing. The Collyers boys will be able to walk tall around the College this week.

FT 22-14