Men’s 1st XV v Deal & Betteshanger 07/03/2009

Away – London 3 South East

Report by Andy Ward

Won 39-10

In a match that was always going to be a test for the Hove side – not least for the 200 mile round trip required, but also because the Kent sides tend to be a different proposition at home than on the road. The 34-5 victory for Hove over Deal and Betteshanger on 27th September at Hove in glorious weather, on a full size pitch with bags of room for the wingers to express themselves would all count for nought on a bitterly cold day by the Kent seaside on a pitch that probably struggles to meet the minimum pitch size.

But, hey – that’s what the game is all about. Different places, different pitches, different weather, different strategies. When I arrived about an hour before the KO, the Deal team were being put through their paces quite aggressively and they did not stop for the whole hour. I am unsure that such energy sapping training sessions are that appropriate so close to a game and so it proved as D&B really ran out of steam before the game was over. Hove kicked off with Adam slotting the ball towards the opponents and the opening skirmishes were pretty even. Both teams seem fairly fired up and were both keen to get those first points on the board. Hove had the first opportunity after 10 minutes when Sam failed at a penalty but the swirling wind – which was to be a feature of the day – made it pretty difficult to get right. Two minutes later – and I hesitated to call this a drop goal attempt – but the coin came down on the side that said it was, as Adam clipped the corner flag with the attempt and the scoremaster could sleep on for a few more minutes.

But, only a few more as Hove won the ball in their half and Dipo started to run and slipped the ball to Adam as both continued onwards with Dipo having the final chance at the line but coming up just short. Referee Quantick blew for a scum 5 and the Hove forwards just DESTROYED D&B and had them running backwards at a rate not seen since the Italians in the war. I swear that the 8 was half way up the wire netting at the back of the incredibly short in goal area. It had to be a try as no-one from D&B could have ever been legally near the ball, but one of their hands miraculously killed it only for referee Quantick to blow for a penalty try and Sam slotted the extra two points over for good measure.

After 25 minutes, young Seb Eubank – making his full league debut if I’m not mistaken – collected the ball with a bit of space and stepped the defenders (Dipo – please note!) created himself that half a yard and raced over for Hove’s second try of the game – in the corner. The angle and the wind proved too much and Hove had to settle for a 12-0 lead.

D&B came back and enjoyed their best period of the game with their 13 converting a penalty after 28 minutes and their 6 scoring a try (converted by 13) in the 35th minute for the teams to retire for half time rub downs by the lovely Amy at 12 points to 10 to Hove.

Hove, freshly rubbed by Amy and D&B by their male physio (easy!) came out for the second half and it was soon apparent who had the more magic pair of hands! An interception by Matt Sole left him with 60 yards to dash for the line, but he didn’t have the engine – I hope he fares better in his marathon! Within 4 minutes, wee Dom (father of many) raced the entire length of the corner flag and solidly pounced over (fell) to score Hove’s third try and start to put the game out of reach. Sam slotted for the 2 points and 5 minutes later Dipo broke though and scored the fourth. This, he reprised with Hove’s fifth in the 25th minute – but on a different pitch!

Sadly, in the 20th minute, the D&B try scorer (6) made a break and twisted either ankle or knee and went down in an agonising state. The game had to be stopped and it became clear that he could not be moved before medical assistance had arrived and so the game had a brief delay whilst it was set up on the second pitch. Our best wishes from Hove to the unfortunate lad and we wish him a speedy recovery.

Hove’s equivalent of Waldorf and Stadtler used this opportunity to shout from their box and shake the pack. Seb was replaced by Barry and in the next 10 minutes Josh came on for Dom and Matty Cooke for Paul.

So, after Dipo’s try, Dave Wattam got in on the act in the 31st minute and scored a good forward’s try after stealing the ball well, and the afternoon’s score was wrapped up by scrum half Matt Sole going over in the 37th minute to bring the score to 39-10 to Hove where it remained until referee Quantick declared the game over.

So, a good win and Liam played well at blind now that Harvey has gone. It must also be said, that Matt Wilson played well at lock and so maybe the absence of Harvey will not prove too bad. Others – Matt Sole had his best game for a while and the two young subs acquitted themselves well. Jamie was faultless in the line and the loose, so a good all round team performance. Quite possibly the forwards fared better than the backs today, but this is to be expected on a cut down pitch.The icing on the cake though has to be Sevenoaks beating Old Reigatian 10-8 to move Hove into second place in the table with Lewes the next team to visit us. Lewes lost 15-20 to leaders Old Elthamian and so must not be under estimated. Aylesford overcame Warlingham so there is no margin for error in the run in that sees us play Lewes at home, Old Elts at home, Warlingham away and finally Purley John at home with Worthing in between for the Sussex Cup semi final.

There are some interesting fixtures ahead with OE having to visit Sevenoaks as well as us and they have Warlingham at home. Can Sevenoaks do to OE what they just did to OR? Only time will tell, but this has the makings of a great run in to the end of the season and you won’t want to miss a moment of the action. OR have a visit to the Bulls and so there is everything to play for. After we narrowly lost (10-13) to Warlingham at home on 6th December, there was only one way that we could get back into play off position – win EVERY game and hope some else slips up.

Well, so far, that’s exactly what we have done and now Sevenoaks have handed us that lifeline (only fair after nicking that point!) and we should seize that opportunity with both hands. Back to back promotions are now a possibility. No more than that, but they are now possible. But we have to maintain the 100% record or everything will be for nought. No pressure lads!

Well done all.