Men’s 1st XV v Purley John Fisher 23/01/2010

Home – London 2 South East

Report by Andy Ward

Won 33-27

With six weeks elapsed since the last rugby action for Hove, there was an expected degree of ring rustiness about the team. PJF, having played (and beaten) Warlingham the other week had the advantage of that game under their belt.

But Hove won – and a win is a win and if you can get in the habit of winning – even when not playing your best – then that is a fine habit to pick up.

It has to be said that it wasn’t a classic game, but 2 points is everything at this stage of the season. The normally solid defence was looking at touch frangible and the scrum was not as dominant as we would have liked. Handling and positional play was a bit sloppy and some of the decision making maybe questioned.

But a win is a win and it is two more points and we are still second going into quite possibly the toughest phase of the season. Reorganised because of the weather, we have to play third place, top place and fourth place in the next four weeks as well as the potential banana skin that is Eastbourne who will be very up for a visit to Hove – as always.

The game started in the most excellent fashion for Hove with a converted try in the third minute courtesy of Sean Taylor and Ben’s boot. PJF reduced the deficit with a penalty in the 10th minute but spurned a second opportunity 5 minutes later. Ben restored Hove’s seven point advantage with his own penalty in the 20th minute.

Back after an extended absence, Adam scored a sweet drop goal in the 29th minutes then a converted try for PJF followed by a second try for Sean and conversion for Ben saw the half finish at 20-10 to the home side.

A change at half time saw Tom Le Mehaute come on for Tom Evans on the wing but it was down that wing that PJF were to score twice in the second half. The second half was all nip and tuck until Ben broke the deadlock with a fine kick at goal in the 12th minute of the second half to take the score to 23-10. After the kick, Nick Giles went off to allow debutante Jake Evans to come on for his first taste of first team rugby at Hove. It really is good to see someone come through the ranks of the Junior section and get to play for the firsts – especially at only 17. Well done Jake.

Four minutes later, the ball came out wide on the right and Liam was left in position but let the ball bounced and the PJF wing was in like Flyn and the try was awarded. The kick was missed and five minutes later the kicking bug hit Ben as he missed a penalty.

Hove were attacking in the south east corner and a line was awarded and the result – as it is so many times – was a try. This time it was Rory who went over after an exchange from the throw with Watty.

PJF bounced back with a further converted try in the 35th minute of the half to take the score to 30-22 and things were close again. Hove were awarded a penalty with ostensibly time up and Ben did the sums quickly and elected to go for goal to make it an 11 point gap and no realistic way back for PJF.

But still the game went on and PJF managed a further try – unconverted – in the 94th minute since the kick off which was the 47th of this half. Now, there had been some injuries but I didn’t count 7 minutes lost anywhere along the line and it seems to be a new feature that several referees are adding time on for perceived delays in the game and players need to be aware of this.

The missed conversion was the last act of the game and at 15:50 – ninety five minutes after his initial blast of the whistle, the referee sounded his final blast and the game was over.There is no change in the table as results went as you would perhaps expect them to. Bromley at home next week in the next MUST WIN game of the season and then we visit Sevenoaks (what’s the way Stotty!! lol) for the re-arranged fixture, then away to leaders Juddians, home to Eastbourne and then the second rearranged game at home to Warlingham.

No news on the date for the OD game as yet.

So, everything still to play for and we must continue the winning ways as there is NO margin for dropping a point in between now and season end. Win all games between now and the end of May and we will be happy!Well done all

Wardy…