Sussex & Essex produce fine fight backs

Division Three Round-up

RENE Pavlides left it late to go over as Sussex produced an outstanding comeback to down Berkshire in Division Three of the Bill Beaumont Cup.

The visitors had raced into a 17-7 lead in the first half but were slowly pegged back at Worthing RFC.

Josh Sunley grabbed a first-half double for Berkshire – either side of a Joe Wild effort for the home side – and Jamar Richardson’s conversion meant it was Berkshire who lead 127.

Dan Thorne then went over as well for an unconverted score to open up a ten-point lead but on the stroke of half time James Grey dotted down to keep the hosts in it.

After the break Richardson added a penalty and Berkshire led 20-12 but Ollie Smith’s score was converted by Carles Casanova to trim the lead to only one point.

And then, with only six minutes remaining, Pavlides went over and Casanova added the extras for good measure to seal an impressive come from behind 26-20 victory.

Meanwhile, Essex also had to turn it around to down Oxfordshire at Harlow thanks to a decisive late Brad Burr penalty.

Burr had opened the scoring early on with a penalty.

But the visitors hit straight back when Adam Neal grounded from close range after a rolling maul and Sam Stoop added the extras to put them 7-3 in front.

Essex hit back when Josh Stannard broke through the centre and traded passes with his winger to score, Burr converted for a 10-7 lead but back came the visitors Oxfordshire.

Jack Robinson scored just before the interval in the corner and then after the break they stretched the lead further through Guy Fairburn’s unconverted score.

But back came Essex as Jake Rawinksi dotted down in the corner and then in the final quarter Burr held his nerve to set up a crunch clash with Buckinghamshire at Beaconsfield next weekend.