The fine and well-mannered crowd was soon treated to a dream start for Crawley as they quickly fed the ball to their speedy Centre, Richard Cork to race through the Brighton defence on the right side and score under the posts. David Keyte converted to give Crawley and early lead.

The first half action was frequently interrupted by injuries, including one to Crawley’s influential Winger, Christian Lodge who sustained a bad neck injury when quickly tackling his Brighton counterpart, to be replaced by Duncan Moons, making his Crawley debut in an unaccustomed position, and another to Brighton’s strong Prop, Matthew Bellenie who sprained his ankle in an attempt to score a penalty from close range.

Midway through the first half, Richard Cork again broke through but failed to touchdown correctly when over the Brighton try line. Brighton recovered quickly and won plenty of possession in midfield and, although their Backs handled well, they could not penetrate Crawley’s strong defence. Shortly before half-time, Brighton forced several penalties close to Crawley’s line but, through handling errors and some valiant defence, were unable to cross the try-line. Due to a previous week's Front Row injury, Brighton’s very own Austin Healy – versatile John Taylor, played as Hooker, having already appeared this season as Fly Half, Centre and in the Back Row. Crawley led 7-0 at half time.

The second-half produced better flowing rugby from both sides. Early on, a cross-field kick from Brighton’s Fly Half, Tom Kinsella caught the Crawley defence napping and Right Winger; Carl Smith pounced on the loose ball to score. Brighton’s Full Back, Charlie Foreman converted to level the score.

Crawley quickly responded with two decisive scores. Following several mauls close to the Brighton line, David Keyte forced his way over from close range then, continuing to attack, Brighton were possibly trying too hard to get the ball to their tricky Left Winger and a move broke down in midfield. The ball was swiftly passed to Crawley’s Richard Cork whose strong run was halted by Brighton’s Full Back, Foreman. Crawley quickly recycled and somehow, Cork popped up again in the Centre to score under the posts. Keyte converted to make it 19-7 to Crawley.

Crawley’s pack enjoyed one of their best performances against Brighton’s strong eight. In particular, there were notable performances from Back Rowers Jack kemp and Ricky Montgomery and big Adam Allnut who is growing in confidence each week. Evergreen Prop, Andrew Wilson even displayed some of his former back-line skills with two salmon-like line-out takes, while Scrum-Half Morgan Rees played his usual strong all round game.

Forced to play catch-up rugby, Brighton’s backs were forced into a handling error and Crawley were again able to unleash Cork for a trademark long powerful run to give Alan Burgin a try under the posts. The conversion was missed.

Battling to the end, Brighton came back strongly and fed the ball right to Carl Smith who produced a fast mazy run to flatfoot the Crawley defence and score from forty metres. Full Back, Charlie Foreman, having kicked well from hand and ground all morning, added the final two points of a well contested match.

Having created the majority of the chances, Crawley deserved their victory but both sides have improved significantly this season and can look forward to further hard fought matches.

The result left Brighton’s frustrated coaches, Whitlock and Kinsella, still striving for their first win over Crawley however, the "Two Marks" were ever-gracious in defeat and remain certain they will contrive a victory over Crawley before the Century is out!