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Season: 2015-2016

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Playing Highlights

Men’s First XV:

The first team reach their last league game on a run of good performances, the team finally seem to be learning to finish off games, and the coaching plans put together by Alex and Sandy seem to be reaping results. We would wish to finish with a final win which will leave us comfortably mid table, ready to reap havoc on our new pitch next season!

We played the final of the Bob Rodgers Cup on May the 7th at Lewes RFC against Horsham and despite having the majority of the game and leading 20-12 until the last quarter, their stronger bench meant a late surge including a breakaway try led to us sadly losing 20-26, however the game was an excellent exhibition of Sussex Rugby and we have certainly closed the gap on a side that beat us comprehensively at the beginning of the season.

Men’s Second XV:

The seconds under the guidance of Sim Ward and Thomas Wheelock have had many close games in Sussex 1 and finished mid table too – again we hope for better next year.

Men’s Third XV:

It has been a successful year for the 3rds both in terms of results on the pitch and, perhaps more importantly, the recruitment of new social level players. This has been achieved through our active involvement in the RFU’s Return to Rugby campaign and the establishment of effective social level coaching to sit alongside senior training on a Thursday night. In addition we have encouraged the older Colts to play adult rugby and no fewer than 10 have participated, some rising to 1st team level. Subject to Sussex RFU approval hopefully we will be back to 4 teams next season which will be a huge bonus with the arrival of our sparkly new pitches!

Women’s First XV:

The 2015/16 season saw Hove Ladies finish 5th in the Championship South League and a cup run to retain the National Intermediate Cup fall short after an epic day trip to Leeds for the semi-final. The condensed league structure and far too many injured players made what looked to be a strong year for the team turn into a battle to field a squad.

Despite the low squad numbers the team pulled together some really exciting rugby. Highlights being holding the league winners Richmond to a 5 all draw at home and leaving the spectators with hearts in their mouths as the team battled to hold onto a 17 point lead playing up hill on the ‘mountainous’ pitch 4 against Beckenham in the Cup quarter final.

Special thanks must go to coach Ross Waddington for pulling the team through and thanks to the growing number of stalwart supporters that line the touchline whatever the weather to cheer on the team.

Development plans are already in place to further links with the RFU and local Universities. The hope is to aid the inception of a development squad and build the player pathway giving more ladies the opportunity to learn the game and become part of Hove WRFC.

Colts:

A difficult season which started promisingly with pre-season games going well, soon became difficult, a combination of key players getting injured and a number joining other clubs! Meant that we were down to a bare squad of about 20 regular players, this combined with the majority playing increased college rugby meant training numbers were rarely high. Despite this and to the credit of the players remaining we fulfilled all our fixtures and although lost them all we were competitive in most of them.

The players that remained gave all their efforts and I believe they all improved as rugby players, w also managed to give around 8 of them senior adult rugby, in fact one player turned out for our first team on 4 occasions. We hope to rebuild the Colts section and look to regain our usual position of being amongst the best Colts sections in the County. I am very proud of the efforts and commitment of the players and coaches in this difficult year.

Junior Teams

Under 16s: Blackhawks:

The U16’s had a mixed season. A number of injuries to key players stopped the team from putting out their strongest team all season. Failure to close out close fought league games prevented us from finishing further up the league. Although they did have the second highest number of bonus points (5).

They also managed to beat one of the top teams in Surrey. Whilst on tour in Bath they showed how strong a team they are by playing 2 hard fought games against two of the top teams in Somerset. Losing by just 2 points through the last kick of the game to Stothert & Pitt who had reportedly lost only 3 games in the last 3 years

The team had 4 Harlequins/ Sussex County players . One of which , Ennio Giuri, become an England U16 team trialist whilst playing for Harlequins at Wellington College. A big congratulations to Ennio.

A very good team with great potential who play well together. Hopefully all the players will return to play for Hove Colts U17’s next season where their full capability could finally be realised

Under 15s: Rhinos

The U15s started the season with 2 league teams, the As in League 1 and the Bs in League 2 having been promoted from League 3. We also had a new Head Coach, Tom LemonHobo, who was specifically selected from a short list of one.

Though results went against the As, with just 1 win and 6 defeats, games in League 1 were won by very small margins this season with most games decided by only a few points; including a 10-5 loss to Brighton (who went on to win the league). Most importantly, whilst the As kept their place in League 1, there was a significant improvement in the quality of the As rugby this season and a number of lads came through from the Bs to give us greater depth as a squad.

The Bs won 2, lost 5 including some games conceded because we didn’t have enough players to field a team. The U14s helped us out with a couple of home fixtures, for which many thanks to John T and his boys, who were excellent! But numbers mean it is unrealistic to try and run two sides next season and we have entered only one team in the league for next year. We are currently exploring ways of still providing some rugby for those boys who won’t make the As squad. The U15s squad currently provide: 3 players for the Harlequins DPP; 4 players tor County, and 9 players for the Regional Development Programme.

We had a great tour to Jersey, taking – and returning! – 26 players and playing one League 1 match and one “Bar Bars” type match against a very hospitable Jersey club. Many thanks to Nelson and Chris OB for arranging, sponsoring and providing an enthusiastic despotism in making it work so well.

We have re-secured the services of Tom Lesoto for next season as Eddie Jones must have lost his email address but will be in touch with him soon, honest!

Jon May and Kevin Taylor

Under 14s:

Following an unbeaten season last year in Division 2 and then promotion, the u14’s struggled with significantly stronger opposition in Div 1.
Unfortunately the u14’s lost all of their League games and finished bottom and will return to Div 2 next season, however they did improve throughout the season and won a couple of friendlies.

Many thanks this season for some additional support from Sandy Robertson, Owen and Mike who all added to the existing Coaching team.
We would also like to thank our new Sponsor, “The Underground Gym” and existing Club Sponsor “Property Moves” for their kind donations enabling the squad to purchase new Waterproof training tops.

For those boys who wish to, the u14’s will again be joining our other neighbouring clubs at Brighton RFC for Sussex Development training through the summer.
With the improvement we have seen and the various activities planned for the summer, the u14’s hope to have a great season in 2016/17.

John Tsapparelli

Under 13s: Spartans:

This season saw the move up to the Youth section and an introduction to League rugby, playing in the Sussex League 1. Overall as a team it was a seasons of ups and downs. An overall fifth place finish was a fair reflection of the season but probably a little disappointing given the potential, and where games that could and should have been won got away with a failure to make possession, pressure and chances count. The lows, probably a thrashing at the hands of Chichester in a perfect storm of injuries and unavailabilities and a team perfectly exploiting the Hove weaknesses, and a loss in the snow at Crowborough. The highs a dominant win at Pulborough and a string finish to the league campaign, losing in a tight game to the odd conversion in eight to county champions Lewes and then a fully deserved draw in the final League game away against Horsham who went into the game with a 100% league record.

Away from the league some good early friendlies, especially a trip up to Rosslyn Park and a chance to play on their brand new £750K ATP pitch and a tight and competitive game, two tries each with Hove just being edged out by 2 points with the last play of the match. After Christmas the weather got the better with a number of cancellations and the inevitable contraction of the league program meant there was limited competitive rugby away from the continually rearranged league matches and this was bit of a disappointment.
A very good tour was had by the vast majority of the team down in Bournemouth again with some tough matches and some mixed results, but then you go on tour to enjoy yourself after all and everyone involved reported a good time.
Although the team overall will be a little under power we saw great development from many players. Previously unheralded players stepped up and the end of season awards reflected this. The team and the players are developing and can look forward to a continuing on an upward path next season.

Simon Faulkener

Under 12s: Vipers:

The U12s have had a very positive, it at times muddy, season. We have had additions to the coaching team, and the player squad has also expanded significantly with new players attracted by the ethos and welcoming nature of our player group. Through playing as many players as possible at all festivals, often making up Barbarians teams with other clubs to do so, everyone has enjoyed playing competitively for Hove, and this has helped improve the depth of skills in the squad. With an understanding of game plans and patterns of play, there have been some games where the combination of aggressive forwards phases combined with scything backs lines has been a joy to watch. Highlights included winning Chichester festival, coming second in a tough group at Land Rover Cup (only losing narrowly to the winners London Irish), and a great tour. At Sussex Regionals we lost narrow to eventual Sussex Champions Heath. Everyone – coaches, players, and parents are looking forward to next season as U13s : aiming to continue to play competitive rugby through enjoyment, skills development, and great team spirit.
Alex Dombrowe

Under 11s: Hornets:

For the Under 11’s, the “Hornets”, the 2015/16 season finished with a bang 9 months after kicking off on the back of the RWC and all the enthusiasm that had brought the squad back together and attracted many new members. Old friendships were rekindled and the foundations of new ones laid.

The coaching team worked hard to integrate the new players into the club, most of whom had barely played the game. By the end of the season they had all found their roles in one of the 2 match day squads, the Stripes and the Stingers. With a playing roster of around 45 boys (and our stand out girl), Sunday mornings regularly saw in excess of 30 children turn up for their weekly diet of mud, exercise and cheekiness.

By the second half of the season, performances were really starting to come together. A low point was reached at the “Curtain Raiser” tournament at Twickenham in February half term week, when, with limited notice, a scratch squad was hastily put together. Although constructed on limited resources, we still fancied ourselves to do well….until we saw the teams in our pool; Rosslyn Park, Twickenham, Sutton & Epsom. A veritable “Group of Death”! A run of injuries and some forgotten insulin reduced our numbers and we struggled to compete to our usual levels. But from there on in, it was nothing but credit to the end of the season. The H Cup in Horsham saw a marked improvement in many players’ performances although a few suspect decisions denied us the chance to return with a trophy. In amongst all this, and with the Rec largely out of action, we found ourselves being generously hosted on several occasions by Worthing and Brighton rugby clubs as well as a wonderful Sunday morning training with our new friends at Reeds Weybridge. Our sincerest thanks goes out to them all.

Back on the tournament trail we entered another scratch side made up of 12 players of all abilities in the Bognor tournament, noted for its perennially fine weather. A glorious day made even more glorious by the quality of passing on display that day as we came a creditable second. The following week, it was the Tour; Bournemouth again and tournaments in Oakmedians and Bournemouth RFC’s. More improvement in performances, more dodgy decisions and the two balanced squads achieved 3rd place in each of their groups before playing off against the other similarly placed sides who were both from the same club in Ireland, Old Colfeians. It was decided to play one long match against them with full side switches at half time as our boys were largely spent forces. We lost that but the game was played in great spirit and new friendships were forged.

The final week of the season took us to Worthing one last time, where the Stripes played well without reward while the Stingers, invited late to participate, turned in the performance of the season, beating Brighton, losing by a solitary try to Bognor, 2 to Worthing and drawing a second half 1-1 against Haywards Heath (after a 0-2 first half), but the results were secondary to the talent on display. Finally, parents and coaches were treated to a committed display of passing, rucking and organisation that we had been dreaming of all season and we go into the summer break already looking forward to the fall of the autumn leaves when it all starts up again.

Go on the Hornets!
Andy Cunningham

Under 10s: Wildcats:

The Hove Wildcats (U10’s) have enjoyed their most successful season to date. Fuelled by the excitement generated by the RWC the 2015/16 the Wildcat squad swelled to over 50 strong, and on one weekend we fielded 5 different teams in festivals across the county – a great achievement and one that bodes well for the future. The children have enjoyed their first season of rucking and mauling, but have also started to respond to encouragement to occasionally avoid contact and put the ball through the hands. Some of the running rugby produced towards the end of the season was a joy to watch!

With such a large squad of mixed ability the emphasis has been on developing skills and enjoyment rather than winning at all costs, and it has been fantastic to see the improvement in levels across the whole squad and to see all players bonding so well. At each festival or training session the quality and commitment of play improved week on week amongst both the longer standing squad members and newcomers alike. That said, it is always nice to win the odd game and the group enjoyed more than its fair share of success.

Retaining the winner’s trophy at Pulborough this year was a sign of things to come. We won the West Sussex Regional festival which enabled us to compete in the Sussex Finals a few weeks later. The team came incredibly close to being crowned county champions by beating Crowborough and Brighton, but drawing with the eventual winners Chichester. They conceded only a single try in the whole of the Finals and missing out on the title on try difference alone. The season finished with a weekend Tour in sunny Bournemouth filled with great rugby at the Oakmedian and Bournemouth festivals, and strong performances in beach rugby and cricket particularly by the parents.

The successful season is down to a genuine team effort. The existing coaches have been joined by a number of new parents who have thrown themselves wholeheartedly in to coaching the squad. A big thank you to our fantastic manager, Becky Hewlett, who does a huge amount on the admin side and organising the tour and generally making sure things run smoothly. We have enjoyed great support from the parents, so thank you to them, and amongst the many people at the club working hard behind the scenes special thanks are due to Steve Moss (fixtures secretary and tour organiser), Anne Freeman (minis administrator) and Iain Turner (minis Chair).

This was a truly memorable season for this age group. Our membership has swelled massively to over 50 players and on one weekend we fielded 5 different teams in festivals across the county – a great achievement and one that bodes well for the future.

Rob Bell and Becky Hewlett

Under 9s: Hammerheads:

As you are aware, the Hove U9s have had an incredible first season of contact rugby, having been unbeaten in all tournaments before smashing the opposition to win the Sussex finals and then capping it off by winning both the ‘Oakmedians’ tournament and the ‘Bournemouth’ Tournament whilst being on their first tour.

Whilst 10 boys went and played in each of these finals, these finals were all won as a team and the team wouldn’t have got to this position without the support of the whole team and it is a real credit to all the players in the whole squad who have all got progressively better and better as the season has developed. The whole squad are unrecognizable from the squad that turned up on 1st September or joined us midway through the season who were all slightly nervous and unsure as to what contact amounted to, but the way they have stuck at it and the camaraderie and banter that has developed within the squad is really great to see!

Credit must also go to the coaches of the U9s who have coached them into such as successful team and in particular through the early stages of the contact tackle and have instilled a belief in the kids to work and play as a team and have continued to foster that camaraderie and team spirit. Credit as well must go to the parents who remain mad keen on rugby and turn out week in, week out to either shout encouragement from the sidelines or to help out with coaching drills when needed.

The team is ready to take it to the next stage and everybody is looking forward to next season as U10s!
Steve Moss

Under 8s: Hounds:

The under 8’s have had a fantastic season with a number of parents stepping forward to help coach. Every player has been selected for a tournament. At times we’ve had 32 players playing in tournaments at a weekend.
We have had many highlights – to name a few
• Winning the Crowborough festival – both A and B teams
• Winning the Eastbourne festival – both A and B teams.
• Winning the West Sussex festival.
• Coming 3rd in the All Sussex finals

The transition into contact has been really good, so looking forward to next season.

Jason King

Under 7s: Gladiators and Crocodiles

The Under 7s have had a wonderful season. It was their first season of attending tournaments and the squad certainly embraced the new challenge! The children thoroughly enjoyed the tournaments and we could all see their excitement at scoring their first tries and winning their first matches. (I’m sure the sweets, hotdogs and medals helped too!)

We have a thriving squad of about 40 children. This year the coaches have been working with the children on passing the ball and working as a team. The children have made significant improvements in their throwing and catching and getting in the right place to receive the ball.

We have a wonderful group of 8 – 9 parent coaches who give up their Sunday mornings to coach the children and we are very grateful for their support.
While the children attend many different schools they are developing and deepening friendships within the club which is wonderful to see.

Chloe Trenchard

Under 6s:

The 2015-16 season for Hove’s Under 6s squad has been fantastic. More than 60 boys and girls had a go at rugby this year, fuelled by dreams of future Rugby Wold cup and Six Nations caps. Each week saw an average of 30 children arrive to develop their tag rugby skills through training games such as ‘bulldog’ and ‘eggs in the nest’.

As coaches of the older groups know, in many ways this is one of the hardest age groups. You’ve got rookie coaches finding their feet and short-attention spanned kids most of whom are new to the game. Thrown into the mix is U5’s who start to trickle in through the season. At times it’s been daunting but the key thing for us has been to get other parents involved in the coaching.

The coaching team began the season with 2 and ended with 8. The expanding group of coaches meant we quickly got out of the herding cats phase. We’ve been able to absorb the increasing numbers, stay on top of discipline and focus on developing their skills.

Over the course of the year, the volume and variety of rugby skills were developed which culminated in practice games and even some friendly matches!

I think proudest moment of the season has to be when the U6’s were pretty much the only age group training on one of those atrociously wet Sundays. We couldn’t get access to our kit and so the players spent the whole session running into adult tackle pads. They loved it. Not exactly in the U6’s coaching manual but it was all good character-building stuff!

The under 6s are now ready for next season when the real games start… let the festivals begin! Many thanks to the club for the continued support throughout the season, Marcus and Matt.’

Men’s 1st XV

Results

#TeamPlayedWonDrawnLostPoints ForPoints AgainstPoints DifferenceTry BonusLosing BonusPointsAdjustments
1Tunbridge Wells212100867198669160100
2Sevenoaks22180476227948314288
3Dartfordians22150754543211310272
4Deal & Betteshanger2216064363031336171
5Beckenham221408428331977366
6Horsham22100125774978010858
7Hove229112380580-2007348
8Old Colfeian229013386438-525647
9Old Aleynian227015387551-1643637
10Crowborough216114267469-2022331
11Thanet Wanderers225017274527-2532628
12Ashford220022156860-704055

Table – London 2 South East

DateResultHove ScoreOpp ScoreLocationOpponent
23/04/2016Won3429HomeThanet Wanderers
16/04/2016Won2921AwayDartfordians
19/03/2016Lost548AwayTunbridge Wells
05/03/2016Won1210HomeOld Alleynians
27/02/2016Won3917HomeCrowborough
13/02/2016Lost517HomeDeal & Betteshanger
30/01/2016Lost127AwayHorsham
23/01/2016Won1510HomeAshford
16/01/2016Lost734AwaySevenoaks
19/12/2015Lost2247HomeDartfordians
12/12/2015Lost2125AwayOld Colfeians
05/12/2015Lost3141HomeTunbridge Wells
21/11/2015Lost3310AwayOld Colfeians
14/11/2015Won128HomeBeckenham
07/11/2015Won916AwayDeal & Betteshanger
24/10/2015 Lost1453HomeHorsham
10/10/2015Lost2427AwayAshford
03/10/2015Lost1363HomeSevenoaks
26/09/2015Drawn2727AwayCrowborough
19/09/2015Won3015AwayThanet Wanderers

Women’s 1st XV

Womens 1st XV Table for this season
Final Women Championship 1 South table for the season
DateResultHove ScoreOpp ScoreLocationOpponent
31/01/2016Won225HomeHenley
10/01/2016Lost512AwayCheltenham
13/12/2015Won345HomeWasps II
29/11/2015Lost440AwayCheltenham
15/11/2015Drwn55HomeRichmond II
08/11/2015Won1714AwayHenley
01/11/2015Won147HomeSaracens II
25/10/2015Lost3641HomeCheltenham
18/10/2105Won225AwayWasps II
11/10/2015Lost729HomeThurrock
27/09/2015Lost585AwayRichmond
13/09/2015Lost1022HomeSaracens II

Men’s 2nd XV

Final Sussex 1 table for seson
DateResultHove ScoreOpp ScoreLocationOpponent
23/04/2016Won6019HomeHorsham II
16/04/2016Lost1255HomeSeaford I
02/04/2016Lost722AwayHellingly I
19/03/2016WonHWO8HomeCrowborough II
12/03/2016Lost2243AwayLewes I
05/03/2016Lost1217AwayMidhurst I
20/02/2016Lost712HomeWorthing Senior I
06/02/2016Lost2426HomeCrawley I
30/01/2016Lost2627AwayBrighton II
23/01/2016Lost752HomeHaywards Heath I
16/01/2016Won157AwayChichester III
19/12/2015Lost1729AwaySeaford I
12/12/2015Won3610HomeHellingly I
05/12/2015Won85AwayCrowborough II
21/11/2016Won4817HomeMidhurst I
14/11/2015Won177AwayWorthing Senior 1
07/11/2015Lost015HomeLewes I
24/10/2015Lost1222HomeBrighton II
10/10/2015LostHWOAwayHaywards Heath I
03/10/2015Won5615Home Chichester III
26/09/205Lost2664Away Crawley I
12/09/2015Won4936AwayHorsham II

Playing Honours

PersonPlaying Honour
Sam WhitingCaptain
Alex MaguireVice Presidents Trophy
Martin MacDonaldMens 1st XV Player of Year
Carl BucklandMens 1st XV Player's Player of Year
Ady ShergoldMens 1st XV Most Improved Player
Chenna UranuMens 2nd XV Player of Year
Lawrence DaraioMens 2nd XV Most Improved Player
Lee SmithMens 3rd XV Player of Year
Claire SlaterWomens 1st XV Player of Year
Sophie RobbinsWomens 1st XV Most Improved Player
Lucy SimpsonWomens 1st XV Player's Player of Year
Manj NagraClaire Thompson Memorial Award
Aaron KildeaColts Player of Year
Freddie NehlsColts Most Improved Player
George DaviesU17 Player of Year
Kyle WoollardU17 Most Improved Player
Mike AttfieldYouth Coach of Year
Andy SherwoodMinis Coach of Year

Images from the Season

No images as yet…


Club Highlights

Club Honours

PersonClub Honour
Richard HopkinsHonorary Life Member
Tony NelsonHonorary Life Member
Martin WindsorHonorary Life Member
Barry CardenVice President
Pete DomzalskiVice President
Chris HendersonVice President
Chris JonesVice President
Warren KnightVice President
Graham ShippVice President
Jon SearsVice President
Phil WardVice President
Iain TurnerJenks Jug - Clubman of the Year

Presidents Office

HonourPersonComments
PresidentRichard Hopkins
Immediate Past PresidentColin Lucas
Senior Vice PresidentNo incumbent
Junior Vice PresidentNo incumbent

Committee

PersonPosition
Geraldine BrownChair
Fiona NehlsSecretary
Andy WardTreasurer
Pete DomzalskiAssistant Treasurer
Geoff PollardGovernance and Compliance
Adam TunesiDirector of Rugby
Phil WardPlaying
John TsapparelliJunior Rugby
John NehlsPlaying
Nick GarrishPlaying
Sim WardPlaying

Annual General Meeting

This was held on Thursday 26th May 2016 and the documents are attached below:


Club Handbook and Programmes


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