Men’s 1st XV v Bromley 29/09/2007

Home – London 4 South East

Report by Andy Ward

Won 46-5

Hove were back to approaching full strength this Saturday and were ready to face Bromley – who beat Hove home and away last year. The trip down to the South Coast did not seem to suit the visitors as much as previous years and they returned back to London after being beaten by 46 points to 5.

Within the first minute the visitors conceded a penalty and provided Alex Robertson with the first of his 16 points. After the restart an imperious Adam Phillips took control and scored the first of his hat trick in the game finding space where none seemed to be and bewildering the Bromley defence with a kick and chase – the ball bouncing perfectly to be caught and touched down in as fluid a movement as you will see on the rugby pitch.

Alex then converted this to make it 10-0 with only 12 minutes on the clock. After a further 12 minutes the same pair reprised their display with Adam again going with a chip and chase for his second touch down and Alex obliging with the 2 points. After 33 minutes, Ryan Morlen got in on the act and scored a try which was again converted by Alex. To finish the first half with a flourish, Adam again scored an outstanding try and Alex slotted home the kick to make it 31 points to nil as half time came.

The second half started a bit slower which as to be expected after the first half extravaganza! Bromley were more structured in defence and were not letting runners through. However another infringement in the 48th minute let Alex through for a penalty kick to take the score to 34-0.

The spectators had to wait a further 22 minutes for the next Hove score and there were rumblings from the assembled throng – especially when Bromley scored a try in the 54th minute. This was answered by Ryan who scorched through for his second try of the game but this time the kick was narrowly missed by Alex and the score was 39-5 in the 70th minute. Two minutes before half time, Lee Preston popped the ball over the line for Hove’s sixth and final try and Alex slotted this as well.

Alex: 2 penalties and 5 conversions; Adam: 3 tries, Ryan: 2 tries and Lee: 1 try. One cannot conclude the commentary on the game without mentioning James Finlasons epic contribution. Not only was he over the try line and able to score himself, he unselfishly passed the ball to allow a colleague the glory. Sadly, it was a forward pass. Not content with this, James also managed to fall over his own feet and made the pitch look untidy for a few moments. Deserved winner of the Tequila moment. Eey-ore!