Through to cup final!

Tries - Williams, Baker, Pearce
Cons - Nichols 1
Pens - Nichols 2

H&B2s semi final for the Sussex Bowl was played against a strong Sussex Police side from the league above. The lads fully expected a tough physical contest and were proved right from the first whistle with both teams throwing everything they had at each other.

The first 20 minutes saw both sides make a number of unforced errors as the occasion perhaps got the better of players. The Police biggest weapon was their scrum which H&B struggled to deal with in the opening exchanges. The H&B pack had to work hard all day to give the talented backline the ball they needed to attack the opposition.

H&B were the first to score with Nichols slotting over a well taken penalty. This was quickly followed by a 2nd 5 minutes later again taken by Nichols. The Police answered with one of their own to bring the half time score to 6-3 in H&Bs favour.

The two best moments of the half came from Foord and Van Herpen both making rampaging runs from inside their own half beating a number of men.

The 2nd half saw a more assured performance from the lads as their superior fitness began to show, which allowed the team to build solid platforms for the backs to work from.

A penalty was won on the 22 and the option for another 3 points was taken, the resulting kick came off the upright but allowed Ward to collect it and make good ground setting up a ruck 5m from the line, in which another penalty was awarded. This one was tapped and the ball was shipped quickly from right to left with Williams diving over in the corner for his 2nd H&B try in two matches. The conversion was good again from Nichols

The next try came in similar circumstances this time Baker was the scorer. The ball was fed down the backline with Baker picking it up on the 22 and carried well before forcing his way over the line.

With a lead of 12 points the boys began to grow in confidence and started to put together more attractive spells of play. Pearce grabbed the final score with a powerful run down the right flank to bring the final score to 23-6.

Man of the match went to debutant Simba Dzimwasha for a number of great runs and impressive work rate around the park.

Credit should go to the lads for soaking up the first half pressure before blowing the opposition away in the 2nd half, and a cup final to look forward to at the end of the season is a just reward for what has been an incredible season so far.

The 2s are back in action next week against the Medics where a victory will guarantee promotion and the league title.

1. Joseph Ward
2. Chris Pillow
3. Nicholas van Herpen
4. Robert Mcmanus
5. Mike Clifford
6. Harrison Millward
7. Simba Dzimwasha
8. Andy Sanders
9. Tucker White
10. Alex Nips Nichols
11. Samuel Surridge
12. Adam Baker
13. Ryan Foord
14. Morgan Pearce
15. Daniel Elphick
16. Fred Fitzgerald
17. Matt Williams
18. Dan Evans