Despite a stirring second half rally, H&B fell to their first defeat of the season, in a keenly contested league encounter. A couple of late withdrawals meant coaches Ben Davies and Roger Roberts had to mix up their team. A head injury early in the first half to Jared Dobinson bravely defending the H&B try line meant a debut for Max Molton on the wing, who acquitted himself admirably.

Playing into the wind in the first half, H&B made good early position and Captain Will Roberts and Prop Azat Kesen went close for tries but were undone by a repeated first half disconnection between ball carrier and support players, allowing Hove turnover ball and the opportunity to clear their lines. H&B were not as committed in the tackle as usual and eventually the momentum swung to the visitors. H&B found themselves 15-0 down at the break, with Hove not having to work too hard for their tries.

Prop Alex Usher came on for the second half and acted as a rallying point for the pack with man of the match, Kesen making further brave forays for good field position. He also popped up in the loose to almost score in the corner, the ball going dead. H&B made an all-round better fist of tackling and the forwards in contesting the breakdown.

Eventually, from a scrum on the near side, just inside Hove territory, scrum half, Finley Davies was able to exert pressure on the Hove put in, stealing the ball and feeding wing, Ben Coulsen to score unopposed. There were further notable close efforts on the Hove try line before full back, Monty Wheeler got a second from close range. Shortly after, Wheeler thought he had got H&B level with a fine finish in the far corner but the referee brought the play back for an earlier infringement.

H&B U13’s have a further league match this Sunday, with Haywards Heath the visitors. Kick off at 11am

Match details

Match date

Sun 28 Nov 2021

Kickoff

13:00

Team overview

Hastings & Bexhill RFC U13 (0) 10 v Hove Harriers RFC (15) 15