In-form Rye make it six league wins in a row

The New Roaders scored 33 unanswered points in the second half to in the end run out comfortable winners of a game which was close at half time.

Rye coach Jeremy Nobbs said: “It was a very high score, but the first half was a bit of a struggle. Although we beat them comfortably in the end, they gave us a real fight and we had to dig deep to overcome their spirited performance.

“Their attitude was great and they kept competing right to the end. There was a mutual exchange of compliments between the teams afterwards.”

Rye started quite brightly and showed lots of attacking intent, but didn’t quite execute their skills under pressure with a few spilled balls undermining their progress.

Steyning-based Norfolk Arms came back at Rye during the second quarter of the match and really put the visitors under pressure. A penalty and converted try gave Norfolk Arms a deserved 10-5 lead.

Rye weren’t sticking to their gameplan and were struggling to be effective as a result, but managed to go over for a converted try towards the end of the half, giving them a 12-10 advantage which they were fortunate to have given how well Norfolk Arms had played.

Rye were reminded of their attacking and defensive plans during a stern half time team-talk, and their second half performance was exemplary.

The visitors cut down their error and penalty count, and rather than trying to score off the first phase, were happy to work through the phases and build pressure.

They even started to dominate a very strong Norfolk Arms pack as the forwards delivered a good, solid platform and the lineout was excellent.

Matt Cooke scored a hat-trick of tries, Rory Creavin went over for a couple, and there was one apiece for French forward Kevin Cathelin and Gregg Phillips. Chris Edwards converted five of the seven tries.

Cooke was outstanding in the centres, but man of the match was Edwards, whose game management and service from the base of the scrum were very good.

Rye, for whom Chris Cordeux pulled up with a hamstring injury during the first half, are without a fixture this weekend as the league takes a break for Easter.

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