Under 13s start of their league campaign with an impressive away win

Chichester RFC U13 5 (0) v Hastings & Bexhill RFC U13 15 (10)

Sunday 10th October 2021 @ 11.30pm

A lone white goose flying over the beautiful grounds of Chichester RFC set the backdrop to the opening U13 league match between two well drilled teams. Coaches Ben Davies and Roger Roberts had a couple of absences to contend with, but marshalled their resources well and the whole squad contributed to a thoroughly deserved victory.

Being the season opener in the top league, there would inevitably be a few pre-match nerves but H&B showed a level of intensity, particularly in their tackling and at the breakdown that set the tone for the game. Man of the match, Tom Woodbridge was prominent in an excellent effort by the whole pack. Scrum half, Finley Davies aggressively led H&B throughout and was the recipient of an early word from the referee. However, by the end, the penalty tally was heavily in H&B’s favour, evidence of the pressure Chichester faced.
Hastings looked predominately to keep the ball in hand and without quite clicking into gear, this led to some good field position that they could not quite convert. Chichester spent large parts of the game back-tracking but they should be commended for maintaining their tackle rate and keeping H&B from scoring as the game moved toward half-time.

Eventually, crisp handling and strong running from a series of attacks, led to Captain Will Roberts deservedly scoring in the far left hand corner. Then, straight from the restart, Chichester fumbled the receiving kick deep in their own territory and after some sharp passing and a beautifully delayed pass again involving Roberts, Centre Rupert Sheppard jinxed through the tiniest of gaps to extend the advantage to ten points.

At half-time, Toby Fielder, Hayden Gladstone and Alessio Pola came on to bolster the team effort. This was timely as Chichester sought to raise their intensity and vary their tactics. H&B continued brightly in their endeavours, but the game became more open and an over-complication by them in a defensive position allowed their opponents a glimmer of hope of getting back into the match, with a well worked try of their own. This was unfair reward on the back three of Jared Dobinson, Ben Coulson and Monty Wheeler who showed tremendous skill and bravery on the wings and at full-back.

H&B are forging a clear identity and team ethos and refused to be unnerved by this setback. They quickly regained the upper hand, spending further spells in the Chichester half. More timely substitutions forced further indiscipline from Chichester. Off one of these penalties, strong, direct running from Roberts allowed fellow Centre, Sheppard to sidestep through for his second, and the teams third of the game. The remaining minutes saw H&B close out the game, deep in Chichester territory.

We look forward to welcoming Hove Harriers on the 28th November for our first home league match.

Hastings & Bexhill RFC are always looking to recruit new players from 5 years old – adult, girls and boys of all abilities. Please see our website www.hastingsrugby.org or email minis.rugby@hastingsrugby.org for more information. Hastings & Bexhill RFC prides itself on a warm welcome to all. Come and have a free, no obligation try out.