RUGBY: Good Times for Blue-and-Whites
28 February: Hastings & Bexhill 38, Old Williamsonians 0
7 March: New Ash Green 0, Hastings & Bexhill 65
MAX MOWBRAY
It’s been a fortnight of strong results for Hastings & Bexhill, with two commanding performances in the Kent Counties League.
H&B pose at New Ash Green
At home against Old Williamsonians, H & B ran in six tries while keeping a clean defensive sheet.
Dominating the set pieces, the first score came from a line-out and rolling maul which allowed flanker Laurence Maynard to edge over for a proper forwards’ try, 5–0. Then the backs linked well, enabling centre George Feeley to power over for the second. Tom Hirst added the conversion, 12–0.
Gaining confidence and momentum, the third score came from sharp defensive awareness, courtesy of Quinn McManus on the other flank. Charging down a clearance kick and gathering the loose ball, this was a flashy finish against the run of play. The boot of Hirst stretched the lead further, 19–0 at halftime.
The second half began much like the first, with Maynard and Feeley each adding to the tally to bring the score to 33-0. As the game entered its final quarter, the physical toll began to tell. The visitors were now dominant in the scrums, despite several players requiring treatment. However, Hastings maintained control and counter-attacked well, and there was a team try, finished by clean hands from the backs, to finish the scoring. A miss pass from Feeley put Whitehill-James in on the outside, sealing the 38-0 victory.
Last Saturday, away to New Ash Green, H&B made a shaky start, as veteran fullback Jake Stinson went down in the warm-up, then Hirst was forced to retire after only seven minutes of play.
But, bolstered by youngster Ashton Pola and old hand Bruce Steadman, Hastings eased into the game. Scrum half Isaac Wales was first to cross the try line, darting over from the back of a ruck. Additions now came courtesy of Steadman, who slotted the conversion and, shortly after, a penalty to make the score 10-0.
Two more scores preceded half time. Hooker Theo Walker bowled over from the back of a rolling maul, shortly followed by prop Kaleb Wiggan on a thunderous line.
Feedback from coach Ben Petty at half time was to play the systems and get the bonus point. This was achieved just three minutes into the second half, Walker providing the goods with his second score, converted by Steadman (27-0).
Gallant captain Harry Walker then crossed (34-0) before Wales also got his second (39-0), followed by galloping second row Dom Sewell (46-0).
Tempers flared as the home side seemed to slip into desperation. In an unfortunate turn of events, the referee missed the first of these tussles as Wales was busy scoring his hat-trick. Turning around only to see the retaliatory shove by Frazer McManus, the visitors were awarded the try and a yellow card, going into the last 10 minutes 51-0 up but with 14 men on the field.
Further admonitions followed, as a cynical headbutt by the New Ash Green lock attracted a rare red card. Feeley responded with decorum and style, cutting through the home side’s defence to score a minute later (58-0).
Hastings didn’t let off the gas until the final whistle, achieving yet another score in the dying minutes, again courtesy of Walker. Steadman added the extras to finish the game 65-0.
With the 2nd XV also scoring two big wins without reply over the past fortnight and topping their league, these are good times for everyone in blue & white.
We hope you have enjoyed reading this article. The future of our volunteer led, non-profit publication would be far more secure with the aid of a small donation. You can also support local journalism by becoming a friend of HIP. It only takes a minute and we would be very grateful.
Leave a Reply