Cinque Ports RFC 7 v 17 Hastings and Bexhill 2ndXV

Cinque Ports RFC 7 v 17 Hastings and Bexhill 2ndXV
23rd October 2021 3pm

Playing an away fixture at their own ground; Hastings and Bexhill seconds beat a strong Cinque Ports team. The H&B team was a true second fifteen, there were some players with first team experience but only Dan Suggitt could be described as a regular, but it was his first competitive game of the season; having been away getting married and on honeymoon.

The Hastings hooker Laurance Maynard opening the scoring with a well taken try. Andy Sanders won the ball at the lineout and from the base of the ensuing ruck the Number Two crashed over the line. This was the only score of the first half, which was played at a hectic but often chaotic pace with many mistakes from both sides.

The second half continued at the same rate but H&B were able to take control thanks to good play from Mike Clifford, Joe Field and Will Hirst. Flanker Ben Bailey scored two good tries. The first came from continuous forward pressure on the Ports defence; taking the ball at the base of the scrum the No6 dived over to touch down on the left side of the pitch. Replacement Jake Stinson burst through the Cinque Ports back line, he was tackled short of the whitewash but set the ball cleanly for Bailey to pick up and score near to the posts. Fly half Will Hirst converted to give H&B a seventeen nil lead.

Former Hastings and Bexhill junior Murray Whittingham scored a good try for the home side, he burst through the H&B defence to touch down; the try was converted. Shortly after this score the referee blew for full time.

Hastings seconds next league game is away to Eastbourne 2's on November 13th. The 1st XV return to league action next week away to Brockelians

Match Report by Peter Knight with Photos from Yellow Rose Photography and Peter Knight