Men’s 1st XV v Chichester 18/04/2010

Home – Sussex Cup Semi Final

Report by Andy Ward

Won 6-3

Regular visitors to these tomes will know of the usual preamble with lunch, drinks, weather, driving if an away game etc. Well, this week screw all that and on with the game!

Quite possibly the most gripping game I have seen all season and Hove were immense in their win over Chichester. As the opposition took to the field, I started looking up and up and up. Chichester certainly possessed 5 or 6 in the pack who were well over 6 feet tall and quite possibly close to 7 in some instances. Hove’s pack looked positively miniature by comparison.

But that was only in height and most certainly not in application, commitment, heart and determination where Hove shone and made Chichester look like the minnows.

At bang on 15:00 referee Simon Bradford of erm, Chichester strange choice by the organisers non? invited Chichester to kick off and the game was on. Hove took possession from the kick off and made some good yards into Chichester territory and were awarded an early penalty as one of the opposition’s transgressions was spotted. Sadly, Ben couldn’t make the most of the opportunity and the kick was slightly wide.

Chichester came back from the early shock of the near miss and had some good territory and possession. Sadly, there were some over enthusiastic contributions and young Ben Ward was tackled in the air and some players seemed to be auditioning for UFC Cage Fighters.

Nonetheless, Hove kept their composure and played the game. Honours were pretty even with both teams having the ball but neither able to make that final penetration. Both defences were working their socks off to thwart all attacks.

In the 25th minute, Hove were awarded a second penalty and elected again to kick. This time Ben made no mistake and the ball soared between the uprights a fact confirmed by the flashing flags of Messrs McBride and Hyatt respectively. As the game approached half time, Hove continued to have a lot of the ball but still could not break through for a try. Half time came with the score still at 3-0 to the hosts. Everything to play for.

Adam kicked the game off after the break and immediately we were back where we had left off with both sides battling for possession. Both sides were going at it hell for leather and I’m sure they were all grateful for all the water we got on the pitch beforehand.

In the 14th minute of the second half, Chichester were awarded a penalty when it looked like it should have been the other way. Nonetheless, a penalty to Chichester it was and the kicker made short work and equalised the scores. Hove brought on Josh Wren for Paul Hasib as the kick was being taken.

A few minutes later, Chichester were awarded a further penalty that had the crowd screaming demanding to know why. No-one could see any sensible reason for it, but the penalty was given. The kicker made a complete hash of the kick and the crowd felt that justice was done and the balance of Karma was preserved.

Dom Henderson came on for Matt Wilson and Bevan moved from prop to lock.

Despite being out sized and out weighed in the scrum, the Hove pack was continuing to make inroads and good possession was available for the backs where Hove did have some superiority. I must admit that I was surprised by the lack of menace in the Chichester backs and presumably they had some injuries.

After one such ball was won with around 15 minutes left on the clock, the ball came back to Adam just inside the Chichester half. A quick look and a dummy gave him the split second needed to tee up the drop goal and whoosh like an express train it was over and Hove were back in the lead.

The last 15 minutes were still played at 100 miles an hour like the rest of the game had been but neither team could get a further score and as the full time whistle went it was Hove who had won through. Hove who won revenge for the day at Pulborough last year, Hove who keep on pulling the rabbit out of the hat and marching onwards.

The final is shrouded in confusion if you look at the Sussex web site, but I understand (NOT confirmed) that it is to be at Crawley under lights on Tuesday May 4th with a 19:30 KO. Like I say this is NOT confirmed, but as soon as it is then I will let you know. What is confirmed is that the opponents will be Worthing II who overcame Eastbourne by 40-5 yesterday.

But, of course, before the final of the Sussex trophy, we have the small matter of the Play Off at home against Guernsey. Can I prevail on EVERYONE at the Club to come along and support the team that day in the biggest game of the Club’s history.

And if we play like we did against Chichester, then that augurs very well.