Hastings & Bexhill 1XV suffered another frustrating afternoon as a closely fought contest against old rivals Vigo eventually slipped away in the final quarter.

The result leaves H&B searching for their first win of the season, while a growing injury list provided further concern after another bruising encounter.

Vigo struck first from the tee, taking an early 3–0 lead, before the game settled into a tightly contested battle. The visitors held the upper hand at scrum time, but elsewhere there was little to separate the two sides.

After half an hour, H&B were given their first opportunity from the tee and Tom Hirst made no mistake, levelling the scores at 3–3.

Vigo responded with a second penalty before the interval to edge back ahead, sending H&B into half-time trailing by just three points at 3–6.

Vigo Pull Clear After the Break
The contest remained finely balanced after the restart, although H&B were dealt another injury blow when hooker Joe Umpleby was forced from the field and replaced by Max Mowbray.

Shortly after the hour mark came the game's first try. Vigo finally broke through the H&B defence but were unable to add the conversion, extending their advantage to 11–3.

Hastings & Bexhill continued searching for a route back into the contest, producing some flowing passages of rugby and determined carries from Calvin Crosby-Clarke and captain Fraser McManus.

Sam Surridge replaced scrum-half Ashton Pola, and H&B were handed opportunities to establish field position as Vigo conceded a succession of penalties, but the Blue & White were unable to turn those opportunities into points.

Injuries Compound a Difficult Afternoon
With around ten minutes remaining came the decisive moment.

A confusing break from a maul caught H&B waiting for a whistle that never came, allowing Vigo to capitalise and cross for their second try.

More concerning than the score itself were further injuries sustained during the passage of play, with Quinn McManus and Kaleb Wiggan both suffering head injuries and having to leave the action.

With Pola and Dom Sewell returning to the field, but H&B left without sufficient front-row replacements, the match moved to uncontested scrums for the closing stages.

There was to be no late comeback, with Vigo seeing out the remaining minutes to secure an 18–3 victory.

It was a frustrating result for H&B after a game in which the sides had been separated by very little for long periods. Attention now turns to regrouping and recovering, particularly with several members of the squad already facing time on the sidelines.

The club wishes all of those injured a speedy and full recovery.

Remembering Jerry Hohenkirk
Beyond rugby, the thoughts of everyone at Hastings & Bexhill RFC are with the family and friends of Jerry Hohenkirk, a long-standing member of the club and former chairman, who has sadly passed away.

His contribution to the club over many years will be remembered by the H&B community.

Rest in peace, Jerry.

Full-time: Hastings & Bexhill 3–18 Vigo
H&B points: Tom Hirst – penalty