RUGBY: Winning Streak Extended
22 November: H&B 71, New Ash Green 0
29 November: Old Gravesendians 5, H&B 11
MAX MOWBRAY
Hastings & Bexhill enjoyed two excellent wins over the past fortnight, achieved in contrasting styles. On 22 November they outclassed New Ash Green on their home ground at Ark Academy, running in 11 tries without reply. A week later, away at Gravesend and missing several regular players, they ground out a victory with just a solitary try scored against their old boy hosts.
H&B line-out deployment
The first in the flurry of tries against New Ash Green came from prop Jacob McDonough after a strong arm-wrestle on the opposition line, just minutes into the game. Powerhouse second row Calvin Crosby-Clarke was next over the line, soon followed by youngster George Feeley, returning from injury in style.
The boys in blue and white continued in this manner. Gallant captain and golden boy Harry Walker finished off the half with two tries of his own, bringing the score to 45-0 at the break.
After half time Crosby-Clarke scored again, then slick hands from H&B’s confident back line allowed halfback Isaac Wales and fullback Tom Hirst to cross the whitewash shortly after. Winger Sam Surridge took over kicking duties to elevate the one-sided score-line, now 64-0 going into the final quarter.
The visitors will have hoped for some consolation points when Crosby-Clarke was sin-binned for ten minutes following a midfield melee, but although Hastings found themselves pinned in defence on their own line, they were able to maintain a clean sheet.
Back row menace Lawrence Maynard and returning hybrid forward Joe Jenner merit special mention, but the man-of-the-match award went to Wales, who scored the final try under the posts after a strong galloping run.
FRESH PLAYERS, FIERCE CONTEST
The line-up against Old Gravesendians featured several fresh players. Youngster Cam Potgieter made his first start for the first XV; Ted Clements and Ashton Pola made first appearances of the season; and veteran Dom Sewell responded to a late call-up to the second row after last minute drop-outs.
The match was fiercely contested, with a number of yellow cards awarded for foul play on both sides.
High tackles led to an early sin-bin for the home side, which left space for a blistering pitch-length try from senior Hastings winger Jake Stinson. It wasn’t converted, but one of two penalties was kicked, putting H&B 8-0 up at the break.
Early in the second half, Walker received a yellow card in turn for more high tackling. This allowed the home side to capitalise with an unconverted try. But Tom Hirst slotted another penalty to take the lead back up to 11-5, and that’s how the scoring ended, even though Quinn McManus and Chris Pillow (coming on with ten minutes left and receiving his yellow card after only 30 seconds on the field) were also given temporary marching orders.
Tomorrow (Saturday) H&B will entertain Brockleians at Ark Alexandra, another game they’ll expect to win in order to maintain their challenge at the top end of the 3 Kent league.
COUNTIES 3 KENT LEAGUE TABLE as at 30 November (top five)
| Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | Bonus | PTS |
| SITTINGBOURNE | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 275 | 116 | 7 | 35 |
| TUNBRIDGE WELLS II | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 265 | 126 | 6 | 30 |
| WHITSTABLE | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 192 | 153 | 6 | 26 |
| HASTINGS & BEXHILL | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 217 | 109 | 4 | 24 |
| GRAVESEND II | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 179 | 177 | 3 | 23 |
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