Ditchling 1st XV travelled to Crawley for this weekend’s league fixture and came away with a convincing win after an afternoon of committed, disciplined rugby.

Crawley battled hard throughout and were rewarded for their effort with a well-taken converted try in the 69th minute — a reflection of their determination and attitude right until the final whistle. Their resilience made for a competitive contest and pushed Ditchling to maintain intensity across the park.

For Ditchling, the defensive work was a highlight. Led by flanker Frazer Falzon, the team showed real aggression in the tackle and relentless work at the breakdown. The forwards set the tone early, dominating the scrums and driving Crawley backwards, while also competing ferociously at the ruck. Their effort created the platform for the backs to play with freedom and confidence.

With captain Alex Hinchliffe and vice-captain Adam Crook leading from the front, Ditchling’s structure and communication were strong throughout. The backline — guided superbly by fly-half Freddie Longley — made the most of the space created by the forwards. Several tries came straight from the training pitch, showcasing sharp execution and teamwork.

Longley’s kicking game stood out, producing an early 50:22 and later a beautifully judged chip over the defence for the final try of the day, finished off by Rory Adams.

Among the scorers, Nick Whitley-Jones was outstanding with five tries, demonstrating pace and awareness to take advantage of every opportunity. There were also excellent contributions from Rory Adams, Dylan Thomas, Adam Crook, Connor Nolan, Takhy Ndiaye-Marrero, and Sam Lodge, rounding off a complete team performance.

Hove 3s vs Ditchling Boarpack
Final Score: Hove 34 – Ditchling 14

The Boarpack also travelled away this weekend, taking on Hove 3s. Though the match ended in defeat, the side showed huge amounts of courage and heart from start to finish.

Martie Chawla was in fine form, scoring all 14 of Ditchling’s points, while captain James Goodsell and vice-captain Dan Marshall led by example, keeping the team organised and committed throughout.

Despite the result, there were plenty of positives to take — especially the effort, teamwork, and spirit that this group continues to build week after week. The Boarpack are clearly moving in the right direction and showing the kind of character that defines Ditchling Rugby.

Thank you to ArcherPhotography for the Photos.