Men’s 1st XV v Tonbridge Juddians 07/11/2009

Home – London 2 South East

Report by Andy Ward

Lost 13-20

A fine November day and the precipitation decided to hold off to give decent conditions for this top of the table clash – and quite possibly, the first ever game between these two teams – historians please correct if in error.

The game kicked off bang on 14:30 with referee Bowers indicating to the TJ10 that he could begin proceedings by kicking the ball. This he did and off it went sailing and into the arms of the waiting Hove team. The ball was then moved out and forward as the first attack formed but with TJ’s fine defence looking well organised and quickly into position. The ball went into touch and there was a tussle between Hove’s nine and TJ’s two which resulted in some handbagging, a talking to for both and a yellow card for the TJ hooker. The game was but four minutes old.

Hove took the penalty and made some ground but – and this was a feature of the game – the TJ defence was well drilled, into shape very quickly and ready. Also – they tackled and were claiming a far higher percentage of first tackles made than Hove.

After 10 minutes the scoring began and TJ were awarded a penalty which their 10 made short work of and the three points were awarded.

Hove were playing with the sun behind them in the first half (and quite conveniently it went behind a cloud in the second!) and made the most of this with a few high kicks and chases. The ball went out for a Hove throw around the TJ22 and Jamie towered above all and came down for the maul.

The ball was worked out but a knock on was adjudged and Hove scrummed down. One absolute positive from the game was that Hove completely murdered TJ in the scrum. Shoved them about at will and were winning opposition ball.

The TJ9 was quick and often with a hint of offside was round the side to spoil for Matt or Glenn if 8 pick up, but after a couple of charges Hove had measured this. So, this time the TJ9’s attentions were thwarted and the ball went out to Ben. Ben went forward and the pack came round to support.

Bodies were piling in and clearing out and the ball was retained and out it came again. TJs defence was found wanting as they were wrong footed and the ball came to Liam who dashed through the gap and popped it down under the posts avoiding the tackle with a decent step.

An easy shot for Ben and no mistake and so Hove were now 7-3 up and looking good. Time to be pressing home the advantage of the Sun!

But, if anything TJ moved into the ascendancy zone a little and launched several attacks. One of these resulted in a penalty success for their 10 in the 30th minute after a 10 minute slog up the field for position.

Hove messed up the restart and TJ mounted a further attack. This resulted in a surge for the line which was held up by Tom LeMehaute. TJs mounted pressure again and again they were trundling for the line and again Tom held up the attempted try. Respite was at hand when someone from TJs had a rush of blood spotted by referee Bowers and Hove were given the chance to clear their lines.

The ball was returned and this time Hove infringed and TJs opted for a kick at goal which was good and reduced the deficit to 7-6 in the 35th minute.

Hove took the restart and the ball went to the south side of the ground with Dipo tearing after it. A further penalty was given by referee Bowers and Ben stepped up for a huge kick from the touchline/halfway line. Straight and true and Hove eased upwards to a 10-6 lead.A speculative drop goal attempt that probably wasn’t really worthy of the name from the TJ10 ended the efforts of the first half as referee Bowers blew his whistle for half time.

So, a good half for Hove and a good one for TJs. Hove were edged in front by a slender four points but we would take the same at 80 minutes without doubt. The only try was to the home side, and TJ were winning 2-1 in the penalty count.

Six minutes later, with my watch showing precisely 15:20, Ben kicked off the second half for Hove. Within 8 minutes, disaster had struck when sloppy tacking had let in TJ for a try which was subsequently converted. 10-13 read the scoreboard and Hove now had to play catch up.

An opportunity came within two minutes with a penalty given to Hove. Sadly, Ben didn’t quite get the angles right and it missed its target. Four minutes later and agonisingly the situation was reprised. If anything, a slightly easier attempt on paper, but the ball could not be convinced to go over and Hove would live to regret missing those vital six points.

But that’s the game and sometimes shit just happens. These two misses prepended a period of assertion for Hove and they were camped in the TJ22 for a prolonged period of time but despite several attempts they could just not convert territory into points.

Sadly, a couple of bad decisions (to my mind) didn’t help. We were crucifying their scrum – even after they had replaced a prop and we opted for a line after a penalty award on five metres when I would have thought scrum down for a pushover attempt. Liam also had a rush of blood when TJ had fouled Matt and Hove were to receive a penalty under the posts when summary justice was meted for Liam’s attentions and the penalty decision was reversed.

A solitary penalty by Ben in the 34th minute of the second half was all that was to show from 20 minutes of concentrated attacking. A few injuries were being suffered and so the coaches put Ben on for Matt and a couple of minutes later Jack came on, Dom off and Bevan went to prop, Liam to lock and Jack in the back row.The TJ10 – perhaps sensing that time was slipping away again tried a speculative drop goal with similar reward to his first half effort. But Hove didn’t clear their lines well and the TJ8 who was perhaps their best player on the day managed to cross the line for their second try – subsequently converted by the 10 and the game was gone in a flash.

A final penalty was awarded to TJ and converted by their 10 and during the dying seconds he made a third attempt at a drop goal. Same result.

So, the final whistle went and TJ had won by a converted try. 20 points to 13 read the scoreboard but the bare facts of the correct numeric differential do not tell the story of the game. Hove can hold their heads up as they were beaten but only just. The scrum was mighty and the front row especially so – and gives us our man of the match. It was a toss up between the two props and even though I usually insist that you have to be on for 80 minutes to get man of the match, I’m making an exception in this case as he only missed 5 minutes or so. Dom had their loose head in knots. He hadn’t a clue what to be doing and spent most of the game bent double with his head on the floor being pushed at will. I did hear that his frustration got the better of him and I do hope that is not true. The TJ coaches to their credit said that they would investigate and punish if he had. No room for dental records in this game.

The whole pack had a good game in my book and I thought Bevan gave his best performance so far. Maybe it was playing against his mate from back home (TJ12 who was withdrawn in the 75th minute or so). Jamie commanded the line again, Glenn gave his best performance for a few games – but needs to carry more and get behind the backs line when defending.

Our biggest failure is the first tackle and that was the key to both the TJ tries – and perversely to ours as well! At one point in the first half, a cuddle was given instead of a tackle and I think it was their 15 who then got another 45 metres before being brought down by Watty just in front of our posts. Situation saved, but it was close. But if we let them through like that, then we give ourselves more work and lose territory.

Get the buggers down properly first time. Some of the passing/catching left a lot to be desired. Difficult to say if it was a bad pass or a crap catch – but in most instances I’ll go with the former. A few times, Dipo found himself isolated and we do need to get the support up quicker.That aside, it was a bloody good game to watch and there was a lot to be taken from it. I’m sure the 13th February next year will be something to look forward to and Hove need fear no team in this league now.

Next week sees Eastbourne away, who suffered their seventh straight reversal at Purley John Fisher yesterday. But Eastbourne versus Hove at Hampden Park is never just a straightforward fixture and we need to do more than just turn up. Play like we did yesterday and we will be fine.

With Lewes losing away to Sevenoaks, Hove retain second spot in the league and it would have been unfair (to my mind) had we dropped a place or two. So, we’re still second and we have every chance to build on what we have done so far and make that second spot our own until 13/02/2010 when we should be looking to knock Juddians down.

Yesterday was the sponsors’ lunch at Hove and many of those people who support the Club were thanked. Let me echo that thanks here as the Club needs the support of those local people and businesses to survive in these increasingly competitive times.

We also welcomed Dr Roger Edmondson the President of the Sussex RFU as well as a few distinguished guests in Tony Cottey – Business Liaison Officer at Sussex CCC, Chris Catlain – former manager at Brighton and Hove Albion and Simon Edgar – President of near neighbours Shoreham RFC.

Floreat Hova!