Men’s 1st XV v Deal & Betteshanger 26/02/2005

Home – London 4 South East

Report by John “Statto” Harrison

Lost 13-21

On a day when other results went Hove’s way, this one most certainly did not. Crawley overcoming Bromley by 24-0; East Grinstead beating Lordswood by 36-12 and Old Dunstonians continuing their league domination by dispatching Eastbourne by 45-15, then Hove (had they won) could have been competing for the second spot in the table.

However, as a result of this senseless defeat, the team now leave themselves open to further attack and could find themselves amongst a battle for survival.

Hove were in trouble as early as the 9th minute, when a mix up between Duncan Kane and Matt Card led to Ambrose giving the visitors the lead. The conversion attempt by Robinson went wide. 0-5. The home side leveled things up in the 11th minute following a fine jinxing run through the Betteshanger defence by fly half Nick Marshall who went on to score under the posts.

Tom LeMehaute added the conversion to give Hove the lead 7-5. In the 16th minute following a tackle, Betteshanger were awarded a penalty for not releasing the ball and Robinson duly kicked the goal to give them back the lead. Hove 7 Betteshanger 8.

The lead changed hands yet again, when in the 20th minute Betteshanger were caught offside and Tom LeMahaute kicked the penalty, giving the lead back to Hove. 10-8. Hove pressed forward and tried to dominate the game, but Betteshanger’s defence held firm and in the 30th minute they were awarded yet another penalty, this time for deliberately collapsing a scrum.

Tom stepped up and kicked the goal, giving Hove a five point advantage 13-8. But this did not last long, as in the 32nd minute the lead was reduced to only two as Betteshanger were awarded a penalty for offside. Robinson kicked the goal. Hove 13 Betteshanger 11.

Before half-time both side had the chance of adding more points. Tom missed a penalty given for offside and Robinson missed for Betteshanger. The second half was only 5 minutes old when a good move by Hove looked like leading to a try, but was averted when Rupert Pratt put a foot into touch.

This seemed to give Betteshanger a wake-up call as they themselves went on the attack and were rewarded in the 60th minute, following two charges down and Hove unable to clear their line substitute Auston went over under the posts. Robinson added the easy conversion from right in front, giving Betteshanger the lead 18-13.The five point lead was added to when, in the 70th minute Hove were penalised for not releasing the ball and Robinson who certainly had his kicking boots on added the resulting penalty to make the final score Hove 13 Betteshanger 21