Winning run cut short

Steyning hosted their first home game of the 2022/2023 season with a visit from a regular adversiary, Barns Green. Steyning started the game with intent. The hosts scoring an excellent try with slick hands from Pete Carter and Hywel Jones which put through Ollie Bennett to score in the corner on his debut. Barns Green swiftly scored two tries through powerful running and good organisation. The game was a physical contest with both teams putting in big hits and defending well. Steyning scored another excellent try through swift hands from the backs with Hywel Jones smashing through the opposition defensive line by running a line which Ma'a Nonu would have been proud of in his prime. With both sides giving everything, both teams were tiring, and holes started to appear in both defences. Barns Green took advantage of an overlap, with the fullback galloping down the wing, a good cover tackle came in from Steyning, but the ball was recycled, and Barns Green scored in the corner. With the two teams separated by one point and 10 minutes to play - 14-15 to the visitors - there was an injury to one of the Barns Green players, who required on pitch medical assistance. It was agreed by both captains for the safety of the player who was injured that the game was to be abandoned, with Barns Green taking the win.

On behalf of all of us at Steyning Rugby Club, we wish the player affected a speedy recovery and hopefully a return to playing. Also, we would like to offer thanks to the supporters who stepped in to ensure that the injured player was cared for.

Thanks once again to the spectators who came to watch a good physical game of rugby - we really appreciate your support.

Steyning man of the match was Hywel Jones, with the Richard being Andre Syred.