Hastings & Bexhill travelled to Cinque Ports for the last of the seasons set fixtures in the Sussex League, Capitan Begg on grandpa duties, Brian McNeilly had to step in.
It was a bright sunny day and Ports won the toss choosing to play with the wind advantage.
H&B kicked off but failed to make the 10 meter-line resulting in the first of many scrums, Ports put in, taken against the head by H&B and the ball was taken quickly into the Ports half, putting up a good defence they turned over the ball and kicked to touch.
H&B found themselves chasing the ball several times as it looked to the kicking game for Cinque Ports. This served well to keep the ball away from their line but being unable to take to ball back at the lineouts meant they repeatedly found themselves on the back-foot. Getting a little frustrated at having to get back the ball H&B gave a couple of silly penalties away one gifting the Ports number 10 their first and only points of the game 3-0.
H&B pushed hard and Ports continued to kick the ball as far away from their line as possible, Smart had another kick at goal missing and having held out against the pressure most of the first-half, but with the point of attack changing again and again an over-lap appeared and H&B were quick to capitalise the ball given quickly by Mr Ellis, on to Beany who drawing his opposite number let Roger Roberts cut back running in a try (first one back after several months out), Eames just missing the conversion for the extra 2 points.
With half-time came change of Capitan, Robbie Simmons coming on for McNeilly, as the game progressed Cinque Ports found it harder to make any ground and H&B got back the 3 points from a penalty kicked by Peter Eames.
H&B went over again having moved the ball quickly out to the wing and then cutting back inside the defence Hollingsworth scoring and Eames adding the extra 2. 15-3. Ports almost broke the H&B line their winger getting down the blind side of a ruck only to find old man Dobson in the way, putting him into touch they didn’t look to get any closer to the line again. H&B lost prop Kevin Lovick having had someone stand on his foot (poor Kev) on came Joe Ward to second and Alan the tree Verity stepped up to prop. The Ports pack worked hard but couldn’t contain H&B and set play opened holes letting Flanker Roger Roberts his second try, Eames converting 22-3.
H&B man of the match was Bill Langley again showing just how good his little legs can be at getting the ball in a scrum.
