Let’s be real: the first half was rougher than a Christina Aguilera high note after a bottomless brunch. St Francis turned up like Alan Carr walking into The Traitors round table, full of enthusiasm, slightly chaotic, and instantly wondering what sort of madness they’d signed up for. Pulborough’s second team didn’t need a second invite, they came flying out, running in tries before some of the lads had even found their studs.

But here’s the thing, St Francis don’t do quitting. They just take a deep breath, square up, and get on with it.

And that’s exactly what they did, not literally,. While other Sussex sides were calling games off, St Francis turned up, dug deep, and through sheer stubbornness and a bit of second-half brilliance, they took control, and even won the second half.

The second forty had everything you want from a Saturday, heart, grit, and a bit of absolute filth from Rylan Douglas, who caught everything like he had glue on his hands and stepped defenders like a young Celestine Babayaro when he first broke into Chelsea. Every time the ball went his way, the touchline came alive, and when he finally finished off a sweeping move in the corner, the lads erupted. A proper winger’s try, built from patience, pace, and a touch of swagger.

Then came the pièce de résistance, Bertie Lawrence finally diving over for his first-ever St Francis try after eighteen seasons, and the team went wild. You could see what it meant.

Lewis Beale was class personified at ten, running the show, linking beautifully with the pack, and keeping the tempo alive. Jack Knight then produced a 65-metre screamer of a try that deserves its own highlight reel, breaking tackles, weaving through space, and finishing with that smug little grin we all love to hate.

Matt Glenin got in on the action too, just to remind everyone he can score as well. Alongside Al Ellis, he was relentless, hitting every ruck, every breakdown, every scrap, and somehow still finding the gas to carry hard. And a shoutout to Vince Haines, who grew into the game nicely, getting sharper with every carry and tackle as the match went on.

The scoreboard read 69–24 by the end, but don’t let that fool you. The second half was pure spirit. St Francis might’ve been battered, but they didn’t back down, didn’t moan, and didn’t fold. Like proper rugby people, they just kept turning up, doing it for each other.

And a big shoutout to everyone who came down to support, including injured players Jake Neale and Finlay Powell.

So yes, Pulborough took the win, but St Francis took the respect. Carpe Diem wasn’t just a motto this weekend, it was the mood. The lads seized the day,

Final Score: Pulborough 2 69 – 24 St Francis RFC

Man of the Match - Rylan Douglas
Dick of the Day - Ryan Crawley