After the high of last week's victory, Hastings & Bexhill U15s faced a much tougher challenge on Sunday against a strong and well-drilled Brighton side.

Brighton opened the scoring early and quickly demonstrated their attacking threat, finding space through the wide and midfield channels and putting H&B under sustained pressure.
It proved a difficult first half for the Blue & White, but even as Brighton built their advantage there were positives for Hastings & Bexhill to take from the contest.

The biggest of those positives came up front. Despite the scoreline, the H&B pack produced an excellent performance at scrum time, establishing a clear advantage and consistently putting Brighton under pressure at the set piece. When Hastings & Bexhill kept possession tight and allowed their forwards to carry directly, they also made good ground. It provided an important reminder of where H&B were able to impose themselves against very capable opposition.

The challenge was turning that forward dominance into sustained possession and preventing Brighton from finding the space in which their dangerous backs were able to operate.
Improved Second-Half Showing H&B produced a better performance after the interval and continued to compete despite the scoreboard being firmly against them. Their persistence was eventually rewarded when Riley, one of four players making their club debuts, crossed in the corner for H&B's try.

It was a particularly memorable moment for a new player in a difficult fixture and provided something for the whole side to celebrate. Sunday was also a significant day for Riley, Max, Alex and Edgar, who all made their first appearances for Hastings & Bexhill. All four contributed positively on debut and earned their club ties after pulling on the Blue & White for the first time. Brighton ultimately ran out deserved 75–5 winners, reflecting the quality of a side that punished H&B whenever opportunities appeared.

For Hastings & Bexhill, this was one of those fixtures where the value will come from what is learned from it. There were clear areas to work on, particularly defensively against sides capable of moving the ball quickly into space, but also genuine positives in the dominance of the scrum, the improved second-half performance and four new players getting their first experience of representing the club. One difficult afternoon does not define a season. The task now is to take the lessons from Brighton back onto the training field and respond in the next fixture.

Final score: Brighton 75–5 Hastings & Bexhill
H&B try: Riley
Club debuts: Riley, Max, Alex and Edgar