Nathan Mitford keeps an Eastbourne opponent at bay

Deal & Betteshanger secured their first league win of the season at Drill Field on Saturday with an emphatic 48-0 success over Eastbourne in London 2 South East.

Both sides scrapped for supremacy but the Lions opened the scoring after eight minutes when Nathan Mitford burst forward over the halfway line before switching to Luke Armstrong, who beat several defenders to score. Anthony Hart converted.

Armstrong launched a 60-metre run into the visitors’ 22 before being brought down, only for the ball to be recycled for young prop Sam Hanley to crash over for a 12-0 half-time lead.

A surging run from Mitford two minutes after the break paved the way for Dan Atkinson to force his way through and full-back Bradley Box’s run from halfway saw him cross to make it 22-0.

With skipper Andy Agar and back row partner Joseph Hinkins outstanding, Mitford was set up to add another score, which Box converted.

Jared Bond, Armstrong and Mitford added further tries, two of which were converted by Box.