Men’s 1st XV v Aylesford Bulls 21/02/2009

Home – London 3 South East

Report by Andy Ward

Won 16-10

The return of the game played on 4th October at Aylesford, which students of these musings will recall that Hove lost by 23-18 in a game that they really could have and, perhaps, should have won. But this Hove team is a far different outfit from that one. With Aylesford lying 3rd in the table and Hove 4th, perhaps this could have been a classic of free flowing rugby, but more seasoned observers would have predicted it more correctly.

The main fact is that Hove won and won well with a controlled performance built on team work and discipline. There is no better combination. Whilst Aylesford also displayed those attributes, they did not possess the intensity that Hove did. If we recorded Territory and Possession then the Hove count would be in the 80s and 90s in percentage terms.

The game started with Adam kicking the ball to the Aylesford lines and after the initial skirmishes Aylesford came out with the ball and were awarded a penalty in the second minute. This they elected to kick for goal but missed. Sam repaid that particular favour in the 12th minute and the score remained at 0-0 until Aylesford had a second penalty awarded in the 18th minute which again they elected to kick and were rewarded with three points.

A further 10 minutes were to pass without further score until Hove were in possession in the Aylesford 22. The ball went out for a throw which was taken and Hove took the ball in for a maul to the line. Thwarted by the defence, they passed the ball down the line and the extra Aylesford defender had unwisely been sucked into the maul and when the ball was out to Dipo on the wing he could just run over and score. The conversion proved to be beyond Sam and so the score remained at 5-3. Ten minutes later, Hove were awarded a further penalty and skipper Glenn pointed to the posts again. Rightly so in my humble view. Sam came good and the ball was true and Hove edged a further 3 points clear at 8-3 in a game where points were always going to be hard to come by.

Half time came and the score remained at 8-3. Some substitutions were made by both sides and the second half was underway. Sam had been injured at the end of the first half and had been replaced by Seb. After 3 minutes, Amy’s ministrations proved sufficient and Sam returned to the field in a bout of perfect timing as he joined the play and scored Hove’s second try of the game. Sadly he was unable to get the extra two and so Hove were now 13-3 up and had a little breathing space.Within 9 minutes of this, Aylesford had a lone attack into Hove territory and scored a good try which they converted to take the score to 13-10 and again this was too close for comfort. Hove attacked and attacked and had several attempts to get over for a try but all came to nought. I had threatened to mention Rory’s moment of glory but that would be unfair to single out. Suffice it to say that Hove threw everything but the kitchen sink at Aylesford but couldn’t manage to get the ball grounded.

The converse of that is, of course, that Hove spent all their time attacking and that means that Aylesford were spending all their time defending. I don’t think the ball traveled anywhere outside of the Aylesford 22 for the remainder of the game as wave after wave of Hove moves rained down upon the Bulls defence.

After 30 minutes, Hove were awarded a penalty that went agonisingly close but no potatoes! The score remained resolutely suck at 13-10 until the final stage of the game when Sam struck a further penalty sweetly between the posts to take the score to 16-10 with only five minutes left. There was no way back for Aylesford and this result allows Hove to leap frog them in the table. We now have a week off before the dangerous visit to Deal & Betteshanger who are always a tricky proposition on their own territory.

Antipodean news and we bid farewell to that colossus of this season as Harvey leaves to play rugby in Australia. He will be sorely missed and I award him the man of the match for this game as his tackling round the scrum and from the centre lines makes it seem as though you have a 16th player at times.We also have to say Hello to Rory’s mum Gaye who I understand reads this rubbish and I apologise for the lateness this week, but I must earn a living as well. I hope its all OK in NZ and I’d like to say that he was behaving…

Ask him about the push bike! Back to the game. This was an excellent performance. One that showed maturity and resolve. Keep plugging away, take the points as they are offered, do the simple things well, keep your head, work as a team. Fantastic chaps – well done.