Shoreham off to a winning start

Shoreham's first game of season was marked by a minutes silence in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the airshow 3 weeks ago, both sides observed it perfectly.

Shoreham won the toss and elected to kick off, the decision was rewarded as a strong defence kept Uckfield pinned inside their own half for first 5 minutes of the game. Shoreham quickly turned pressure into points as they were awarded a penalty within kicking range for a scrum infringement. The right boot of Adam Shaw on target as Shoreham took the lead 3-0. The home side continued to dominate as good work from Mick Shaw over the ball in the ruck resulted in a Shoreham penalty. This time Shoreham kicked to the corner, and from the resulting line out, managed to drive the ball over the line, Captain Daegan Beaumont the man to dot down at the back of the maul. Adam shaw missed the tough conversation attempt against the wind. 8-0 to the hosts.

In typical Shoreham style they then took their foot off the gas and allowed Uckfield to play themselves back into the game. A couple of handling errors allowed Uckfield good field position, which they capitalised on with some good handling and scoring near the corner. The Conversation successful, Shoreham still leading 8-7. Uckfield continued to put pressure on the Shoreham back 3, who were very busy under the high balls all half. The pressure eventually told as more handling errors cost Shoreham field position. Uckfield against capitalised with a couple of good off loads out of tackles in order to score near the posts. Another successful conversation followed as Shoreham now trailed 8-14. With Uckfield now in front Shoreham heads began to drop and the early dominance had faded away. Shoreham continued to defend well, and as the halftime whistle went the score remained 8-14 to the visitors.

As the second half started Shoreham began to make use of the subs bench bringing on James Swift from James Garner As the first of many changes throughout the half. Straight from kick off Shoreham were on the front foot with strong running from Harry Rae. Soon enough the pack began to once again turn the screw and continued to shove Uckfield backwards at scrum time, their scrum half doing very well to dig the ball out quickly. Shoreham were awarded a scrum 5 metres out from the Uckfield line, and with he ball kept in well by number 8 Chris Reynolds, Shoreham were awarded another penalty and Uckfield's front row slipped a bind. Shoreham chose to scrum again to keep the pressure on the visiting pack, and as Shoreham edged closer to the line, the scrum began to wheel. Chris Reynolds picked the ball up before drawing the scrum half and giving the ball infield to alex Hadfield, who did well to get underneath the Uckfield back row and over the line. Conversation again missed by Shaw as the score now read 13-14 to the vistors. Shoreham now felt they were in the driving seat as the front 8 continued to dominate the set pieces, winning several Uckfield line outs with good work in the air from Dale Canell. As the second half wore on Shoreham found themselves camped inside the Uckfield half, more strong carrying from sencond rows Nick Hobden and Harry Rae opened up space, as Shoreham hooker Lance Tufft picked a fine line and continued on to beat the Uckfield fullback one on one to dot down under posts. Conversation made from substitute Paul Eyre-Walker, Shoreham lead 20-14 with 15 minutes remaining. As Shoreham continued to apply pressure Uckfield began to tire, as the Shoreham pack sucked in defenders, before another substitute Bryn Phillips shown quick feet to beat 3 defenders and cross the line. Conversation successful again from Paul Eyre-Walker, effectively putting the game out of reach. Full time Shoreham 27-14 Uckfield

Shoreham: Clarke, Tufft, Pearce, Hobden, Rae, Cannell, Beaumont (c), M.Shaw, Hadfield, A.Shaw, Evans, Trimm, Crees, Garner, Griffiths. Subs (all used) O'Connor, Reynolds, Phillips, Swift, Dakin, Eyre-Walker

Man if the match: Harry Rae
Notable performances: Iain Pearce, Lance Tufft, Mick Shaw.