Men’s 1st XV v Bognor 15/12/2007

Away – London 4 South East

Report by Andy Ward

Lost 10-27

Second placed Hove traveled to first placed Bognor on Saturday and despite a valiant effort, the positions stayed the same as Bognor overcame the visitors by 27 points to 10. Hove started better and surprised both the Bognor team and the spectators by competing better than the home side.

An early penalty, scored by Alex Robertson saw Hove take an early and justified lead within the first 10 minutes.

Midway through the first half, Adam Phillips intercepted a wayward pass and raced for the line, touching down smack between the posts giving Alex an easy conversion opportunity and Hove were 10-0 to the good. Game on!

In first half injury time, Bognor were pressing and several times the Hove defence repelled them but could not get the possession needed to boot the ball into touch and end the half. After about 6 or 7 phases, Bognor managed to squirm through and touch the ball down barely on the line. But, unlike other inferior versions of football, in rugby union “on the line is over the line” and a try was rightly awarded.

The Bognor 10 converted this for the half time whistle to blow with Hove leading 10-7. The second half belonged to Bognor – albeit with a little help from Hove! A penalty was awarded against Hove and stupid back chat lost them 10 more metres. Bognor actually missed this chance but were soon awarded another by Hove silliness.

This time, the ball flew over at the second attempt after Hove mysteriously tried to charge down the first attempt. Must remind them of the laws of the game! Thus trailing by 13-10 Hove tried to inject some more pace into the game, but were worryingly lacking at the line out. Some injuries caused replacements and reshuffle and a bit of shape was lost, although the repurposing of James Finlason back to scrum half was well overdue. Coaches take note.

13-10 remained the score until nearly the last knockings as Bognor then scored a decent converted try as Hove were badly positioned (not helped by some “professional” play by Bognor!).

At 20-10 down, Hove tried again to rally and find at least one score – if not the two that were needed but such adventure in your own 22 can have serious repercussions. Sadly, this was so and a ball was intercepted to allow Bognor to score a final converted try just for the whistle to be blown.

Bognor now sit comfortably at the top of the table and well done to them. Hove still lie second, but with more daylight. Hove need to ensure that they do not trip up again this season if they wish to be promoted.