Sussex, Sussex by the Sea! Good old Sussex by the Sea!

 You may tell them all we stand or fall, For Sussex by the Sea…

William Ward Higgs

To be in Sussex by the sea on an early sun-kissed September Saturday afternoon as the Women’s Rugby World Cup entered its final stage of group matches is one the perks of a job that mostly occupies the cold and wet winter weekends when daylight is in short supply.

Six miles inland from Brighton’s shingle beaches that once enticed Edwardian day trippers escaping the London smog, England faced Australia in a Pool A match at the home of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club.

The village of Falmer is located within the South Downs National Park, nestled on the edge of the rolling chalk hills and rich green woodlands characteristic of the region. The historic village itself retains its rural downland character, but it also houses the Amex Stadium, renamed the Brighton & Hove stadium for this World Cup weekend.

A 30,443 crowd and an unsubstantiated number of seagulls proved that when it comes to creating a wonderful ear-splitting family rugby occasion, this lovely south coast arena is right up there with the best of the city slickers.

The Red Roses certainly think so, having had their every move serenaded by youthful screams and cheers

Thirty-two miles down the road is the town of Chichester birthplace of England wing Jess Breach fittingly gaining her 50th in her home county

She marked the occasion with a try in the 8th minute and the accompanying cheer could be heard all the way down the A27.

But it was Australia that made all the early running and a 6th minute try stunned the partisan crowd and indeed the England team themselves.

The Wallaroos dominated possession for the first half hour and held on to the lead until Abbie Ward crashed over from close range on 32 minutes.

Six minutes later Kebeya’s try earned England a 19-7 lead going into the break.

The second half was a different story as the Red Roses made hay in the sunshine with four unanswered tries as the Wallaroos wilted.

England’s 47-7 win meant they ended the day as Pool A winners and now face Scotland in a Bristol Quarter Final next Sunday.

For Australia in defeat there is the very worthy consolation prize, as group runners-up, of a place in the last eight where they will come face to face with one of the tournament favourites Canada.

A capacity crowd once again emphasised how the women’s game is growing in popularity and quality, and as the sun set over the South Downs it will rise again tomorrow morning and another full house will arrive to witness New Zealand face Ireland, good old Sussex by the sea.