Men’s 1st XV v Guernsey 24/04/2010

Home – Divisional Play Offs Level 7 L2SE v L2SW

Report by Andy Ward

Won 17-14

This match was rightly billed as the biggest in Hove’s history – and I think that was also true for Guernsey. Neither of us have played higher than level 7 before. Certainly Hove haven’t and if Guernsey have then my apologies to them.

I’m going to stray from the game a little bit – once more – as it needs to be understood just what has to happen to get things organised. You may recall that this game’s date was in the balance, firstly because of the 3SW league not having completed their programmes sufficiently to identify the opponent. That was corrected last weekend and Guernsey were identified. You may recall then we had the little matter of the Eyjafjallajoekull (go on – try and wrap your tongue round that one!) volcano deciding to interrupt the country’s air travel – and being as Guernsey have little option but to fly to all away fixtures, then this was also set to test us!

With a sponsor’s lunch to organise for around 100 people, to try and ensure that the pre-booked touring games (four teams!), the pitch watered and ready for use, referees and assistants in place and ready to come, changing rooms ready, kit washed and ready, pitch marked, beer ordered, bar staff ready, food ordered, prepared and served, BBQ sorted and the 1001 other things that just have to happen to get things moving and STILL not knowing whether the game would be 24/04 or 01/05 – it’s time we all put our hands together for the back room teams that put all this in place whilst we can just rest our weary heads on our pillows. So, my thanks to all of you. Which, of course, does include me so a clap for me as well!

A wonderful sunny day was to greet us as the Club started to fill up with a U13 touring team from Saffron Walden and seniors from Derby and Rochford 100s plus an advance party from an Under 11 team who are due to play today, and then the Guernsey squad arrived. Sponsors, blazers and the like were all gathered ready to eat, drink and watch the game. All was set.

Guernsey kicked off at the start of the first half and immediately launched into action. Like an express train of bulldozers the visitors crashed into the Hove defence punching great holes and making gaps at will. Bugger! This wasn’t how I had seen it in my mind’s eye whilst casually considering matters during the week. Oh no, this wouldn’t so at all!

But the defence that seemed fragile on the front foot was rock solid during this period when on the back foot. Wave after wave of Guernsey attacks were cleared before the final goal of the line and even though Guernsey were clearly superior during this opening 15-20 minute period from a territory and possession perspective – Hove held them out and they had no product from their efforts. If you’re going to spend that long camped in the opponent’s 22 you need to score. That failure was probably where Hove set the grounds for the victory that was to be theirs.This period of Guernsey attacks was punctuated by occasional forays up the park by Hove but nought came of them either. But bit by bit, Hove were starting to piece things together. It was as Hove were making one of these breaks that centre Chris Eden came of worse in an incident and was grounded. Attention needed and it was 7 or 8 minutes before play could resume with Ryan coming on and taking over at Outside Centre.

Did the break help Hove or Guernsey? Difficult to say, but Hove started to pick up the pace and whilst Guernsey still threatened it was no longer all one way traffic. The balance of the first half in terms of scores – was broken when Ben Coulson stepped up to take a penalty around the thirty minute mark (sorry my timings may be wrong because of the two lengthy stoppages) and the first points were on the board and they were under Hove’s name.

Despite attempts from both sides, there was no further score before half time, and so the teams went in for the break with Hove leading 3 points to nil. Spookily – the same score as last week’s game against Chichester. Would this turn to to be another 6-3? I, for one, would have taken that at that precise moment!

The second half started in a manner similar to the first but with Adam taking the kick to start the half.

Hove started well and were pressing but a transgression saw Guernsey get the ball and attack. The ball came out wide and a gap was spotted and raced for. Flailing hands could do nothing as the Guernsey player made the most of the lapse in concentration and raced through the in goal area to touch down behind the posts.Play was interrupted for another 10 minutes as an ambulance was called to take Chris to hospital and being as he was still on the side of the pitch, then over the pitch it drove. Play could not continue at this point. I can report that Chris came back from hospital last night and reported that he was OK.

After the stoppage, Hove had their best period of play and the first to score was Adam making a typical break and wrong footing his marker as only he can do. Winning the chase for the line, Ads touched down plum in the centre of the uprights giving Ben the best chance of getting the kick – which he did.

10-7 to Hove and we were back in the game. Within fifteen minutes of that score, Ben Coulson intercepted a wayward pass from Guernsey and charged for the line. Steaming in support was Adam and as Ben jinked one way taking the defence with him, he slipped the ball to Adam who went back under the posts for his and Hove’s second try of the game. Ben completed the kick with aplomb and Hove were 17-7 to the good. Everyone’s idea of how long left was different because of the stoppages and I was thinking it to be around 10 minutes left. This proved to be about right.

Hove broke again but Guernsey stopped the attack and mounted one of their own. This was nullified but you could sense that the opponents were gearing up for a final push. And, so it was. Guernsey won the ball and attacked as one. Their big forwards were punching through and a try was scored subsequently converted to take the score to 17-14. The kick off was taken by Hove and Guernsey received the ball, but the Hove charge brought him down and the ball was turned over and to Matt Sole. Looking at the referee for some confirmation of the time and getting it, Matt kicked the ball into touch and the whistle was blown. Hove had won after an incredibly hard and exciting game and were now promoted to London South 1.

Commiserations to Guernsey as they were valiant in the game and magnanimous in defeat. It is true you need luck as well as skill to win these games and the fortunes smiled on Hove this afternoon.

We now have the Cup Final against Worthing II to come on Tuesday 4th at 19:30 at Crawley and I invite you all to be there. It would be great to win the Sussex Trophy – something Hove have never done despite being second last year. To win this would be the icing on the cake – but the real prize has already been won.

The planning for next season starts right now. With 14 teams in the next league there will be very few free weeks and we will need a bigger squad to take countenance of injuries and inevitable non availabilities.

Before closing, I must pen some more about some of the celebrations that followed. With the Derby touring team being on great form, they were entertaining us all with their festivities and the Derby haka was absolutely priceless: “Ringa pakia, Uma tiraha, Turi whatia, Brian Clough, Mansfield ale – PISS”.But not to be outdone or to let the challenge go unanswered our Kiwi contingent led by Rory – with Liam, Bevan, Tommo and Jamie responded with a more traditional version of “Ka Mate”. Sadly, I was too pissed to think about videoing it!

To take a statement written in our opening brochure when we moved to Hove Rec “Hove Rugby Club has a short history, but a great future – be part of it”.