H&B RFC ended a long silverware drought last weekend with a dramatic victory over Ditchling in the Sussex Shield final, securing their first cup trophy since 2017. A tense and physical contest swung repeatedly before a late surge brought home the win.

In dry, firm conditions over at Eastbourne, Ditchling, who play in the Counties 2 Sussex League, made the sharper start. Off the first kick-off, errors from H & B led to a penalty and a 0-3 deficit. At this point, strong runners and fast reactive play from Ditchling looked likely to make it a hard day at the office. However, after ten minutes of struggle, Hastings responded with a penalty of their own, the ever-faithful boot of Bruce Steadman levelling the score from the tee (3-3).

The boys in blue & white then began to settle into their shape, moving the ball with more confidence. The increased pressure told midway through the half when Quinn McManus crossed to put Hastings 8-3 ahead.

The advantage was brief. Ditchling hit back almost immediately (8-8), before adding a further converted score to take an 8-15 lead. With a contest on their hands and early injuries setting in, Hastings made their changes early, George Feeley and Laurence Maynard being replaced by Lewis Sealy (to 10) and Max Mowbray onto the flank.

DOUBLE SIN-BIN

With the second half under way, things were yet to pick up for Hastings. Quinn McManus was shown a yellow card shortly after the restart, and Ditchling quickly made the extra man count, a converted try extending their lead to 8–22. At this point the heavens also opened, turning the playing surface into a slip-and-slide, and the ball into a bar of soap.

The situation worsened when, in true house style, older brother Frazer McManus was also sin-binned. Reduced to 13 men and trailing by 14 points, H & B were at a mental crossroads.

The chosen path was evident in their response. With heads up and fire in their hearts, the blue-&-white army now entered a period of direct, high-intensity rugby featuring a barrage of attacks. Shortly into the final quarter, these efforts culminated in a converted try, centre Vinnie Harrison breaking through from the back of a ruck to close the gap to 15-22.

Back to full force, Hastings were now dominating their opponents at scrum time, and consistently disrupting the Ditchling lineout. Persistence paid off late on, when well-worked hands put Steadman over, and he converted his own try to level the scores (22-22).

FITNESS AND DESIRE

Momentum was now firmly with H&B. Aided by superior fitness and desire for victory, they pressed for a decisive score. It arrived in the 78th minute, when scrum half Isaac Wales made a signature break to provide a 27-22 lead.

Kick-off response was crucial here, Hastings knowing the pain of defeat in the dying moments of a game. But the gather was good, the clearance long, and a short passage of play led ultimately to a penalty inside the Ditchling 22 in front of the posts. Using every second of the final period of play, Steadman slotted the kick to take the score to 30–22 and end the game. The music of that final whistle rang in blue-&-white ears, confirming victory and bringing Sussex silverware back to Hastings for the first time in a decade.

It was a hard-earned, well-fought victory built on discipline, persistence and an ability to respond under pressure. After a nine-year wait, Hastings & Bexhill are Sussex Shield champions once again.

17 April: Tunbridge Wells II 36, Hastings & Bexhill 35

H & B have just one game left in the Kent 3 Counties league season after two contrasting matches this month confirmed they will finish in third place (out of eleven).

In a comprehensive home victory over Gravesend 2nd XV, H & B ran in six tries – two from winger Matt Shephard, two from no. 8 Frazer McManus, and one each from prop Kaleb Wiggan and Bruce Steadman, who also converted four of them. The clean sheet in defence was a pleasing bonus.

A week later, with third place now guaranteed, H & B travelled to Tunbridge Wells, who had suffered only one league defeat all season.

The home side roared into a 22-point lead with four tries in the first quarter. But H&B hit back. Captain Harry Walker and Isaac Wales scored first half tries themselves, Steadman added a couple of penalties, and when Walker (again) and Calvin-Crosby Clarke went over in the second half, they led 30-29.

Although Wells regained the lead with their sixth try, Max Mowbray scored for H & B in a late scramble. Conversion would have secured a one-point victory. Steadman’s attempt hit the right hand post, and bounced away. 

MAX MOWBRAY

It’s been a fortnight of strong results for Hastings & Bexhill, with two commanding performances in the Kent Counties League.

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.

14 February: Sittingbourne 33, Hastings & Bexhill 18

MAX MOWBRAY

A depleted Hastings & Bexhill team travelled to Kent League leaders Sittingbourne on 14 February      and suffered defeat after a fierce encounter.

Despite a textbook start from H & B, it was the home side that struck first. Within five minutes Sittingbourne had crossed for a converted try to take a 7–0 lead. Playing a structured game which capitalised on their opponent’s mistakes, the Kent side scored twice more before Hastings could respond. Then utility winger Sam Surridge took the visitors’ first points with a well-struck penalty (19-3), and, after half an hour of play, another. At the break H & B trailed 19-6.

The second half began with real intent from the boys in blue & white. The forwards were dominant against the home side’s beefy pack, controlling many of the set pieces. Hooker Chris Pillow linked well with flanker Quinn McManus to win a majority of line-out ball, and youngster Theo Walker put in a solid performance on his 1st XV debut at prop.

MOMENTUM SHIFT

Strong carrying and improved breakdown work paid off when Joe Whitehill James crossed the line for Hastings’ first try (19-11). Although the conversion drifted wide, momentum had clearly shifted.

Sittingbourne responded with a converted try of their own (26–11), but H&B refused to fade. Centre George Feeley powered over the line following sustained pressure, Surridge adding the extras to close the scoreline to 26–18 and set up a tense final quarter.

With both sides attacking hard, it was one-up tackles that ultimately proved Hastings’ downfall. Strong Sittingbourne runners cut through the blue & white defensive line repeatedly, and with 20 minutes to go, the league leaders took another converted score.

With their lead stretched to 33–18, the home side dug in and managed to keep the visitors out for the remainder of the match.

Despite the score, Hastings will take positives from their set piece and link play, which kept them in contention against the top side in the league.

There was no game last Saturday, but a busy end to the season now awaits, with seven league games in the next nine weeks. The top two sides, Sittingbourne and Tunbridge Wells II – each suffering only one defeat all season to date – are unlikely to be overhauled. But H & B will aim to win against the rest in order to secure a third place finish. Tomorrow (Saturday) they host Old Williamsonians.

Local boy Kaleb Wiggan earned international honours last Saturday with his second cap for national side Jamaica UK. Kaleb, who plays for Hastings & Bexhill RFC, travelled to Port Talbot for a friendly against Wales Deaf on their home ground at Aberavon Harlequins RFC.

The heavy, waterlogged pitch could not have been less Caribbean, and the Jamaican team took some take time to warm into the game. But having been kept under the cosh in the first half, and failing to string together phases, they produced a committed and spirited performance in the second. Some big carries soon led to their first try.

Keeping the contest alive into the latter stages, with the roaring support of the Jamaican fans in the stands, the visitors maintained their forward momentum and scored a second. But Wales’ effective game management kept them from further scoring, the game finishing 22-12.

Kaleb played with fierce determination as always, bringing physicality and energy to the contest from his position at tighthead prop. His selection is a testament to his hard work at club level and a credit to his teammates and coaches at H&B.

Hastings Head Coach Ben Petty said: “It’s fantastic for a Hastings player to get international recognition, and well deserved. We’re very proud of Kaleb, he’s made a real impact to the senior squad and it’s great to see the progress he’s made after two excellent seasons with us.”

MAX MOWBRAY

Hastings & Bexhill’s finest travelled northwards on Saturday for a chilly but bright afternoon at Dartford. This was a great display of community rugby and a strong performance for the boys in blue & white.

H&B’s main training during the week was on speed and intent from kick-off, and the coaching staff will be pleased with the day’s work. Leading the dominant charge from the first whistle, captain Harry Walker opened the scoring after just five minutes of play. His try was calmly converted by winger Sam Surridge: 0-7.

Maintaining this momentum, Hastings quickly scored another, courtesy of George Feeley on the other wing: 0-14.

As the home side struggled to gain a foothold, penalties started to mount up. A well-struck shot at goal from Surridge pushed the score to 0-17 before a spectacular display of hands in motion from the Hastings back line resulted in a try in the corner for centre Joe Field: 0-22 at the break.

MORE OF THE SAME

The second half began much like the first, with H&B firmly on the front foot. Field grabbed his second try, bringing the score to 0-29 and also pulling firmly ahead in the locally coveted Flash v Wriggly Cup. The visitors’ spirits were up but, with the sun setting, the first cracks began to appear.

Emotions were now running high on both sides, and several changes were made. Fly half Bruce Steadman was replaced by Lewis Sealy after acting as a very efficient speed bump on several occasions. Scrum half Ashton Pola was forced to leave the field early with a head injury, giving back row Laurence Maynard a go in his second favourite position on the wing, whilst the capable Surridge took over at 9.

Dartford were then reduced to 14 men following multiple high tackle offences, but managed from the depths of despair to produce their only score of the afternoon: a darting run took Hastings by surprise and rewarded them with a consoling 7 points.

NO COMEBACK

Into the last quarter, veteran hooker Chris Pillow replaced Max Mowbray in the front row and made a quick impact. Any brief dreams of a Dartford comeback were extinguished as Pillow, by name but not by nature, powered over for H&B’s next try: 7-34.

Hastings were now confidently back in control, capitalising clinically on another Dartford sin-bin. A hungry Steadman subbed himself back on to bump and dive his way over the whitewash: 7-41. Then, in the dying minutes, Suphanat Cramp, returning from time off with a broken hand to bolster the Hastings pack, rounded off an excellent team performance by skipping over for a final score of 7-46.

H&B will take confidence from this result – a commanding away victory, built on clean handling and vicious intent. They now go into a two-week break before returning to start their cup campaign against Pulborough in early February.

MAX MOWBRAY

Hastings & Bexhill returned to winning ways last Saturday, donning their alternative all-yellow kit against blue-and-white rivals Whitstable and securing a bonus-point victory which returns them to third place in the Kent Counties league table.

They didn’t start well. A well-drilled move off the lineout sent Whitstable over the whitewash first, and a series of bombardments on the Hastings line led to a second try: 0-10.

But the home side gradually found their rhythm. A try by Quinn McManus converted by Tom Hirst brought them back to 7–10, before captain Harry Walker greedily darted his way over to edge them ahead, 12–10. A high tackle resulted in the visitors suffering a 10-minute stint with 14 men. H&B capitalised on the resultant penalty to take a 15–10 advantage at halftime.

Whitstable broke through early in the second half to regain the lead, 15–17. But this proved to be their final score. Hastings, now reawakened, remembered how to tackle, and responded decisively.

After numerous tap-and-go attempts, Walker managed to burst his way over the Whitstable try line once more. Coupled with a conversion from the increasingly reliable boot of Hirst, this reclaimed the lead, 22–17.

H&B then pressed the advantage of a second Whitstable yellow card to score two further converted tries, one for each prop – a classic rolling maul finished by Jack Hard for 29-17, then a storming breakaway run by man of the match Kaleb Wiggan: 34-17.

Special mentions to Lewis Sealy, back in the H&B squad after a torn bicep put him out of action last year, to Calvin Crosby-Clarke, throwing darts in the lineouts and commanding play as always, and to Joe Field, also back from injury, who defended stoutly in midfield.

6 December: H&B 33, Brockleians 12
13 December: Gravesend II 31, H&B 32

MAX MOWBRAY

Hastings & Bexhill RFC stormed into third place last Saturday after their fifth consecutive victory in the Kent Counties League. 

On 6 December the boys in blue & white hosted a hardy Brockleians side, and showed them what Hastings rugby is all about. After a slow start, the play started to flow and Hastings began to put away scores from every foray into the opposition 22.

At the half, they led 14-5. Scrum half Isaac Wales keeps his name in contention for the season’s top try scorer, taking both tries in the first half, with king of the sticks Tom Hirst slotting both conversions.

The second half saw some attractive play from the home side, highlighted by three more tries. Young gun George Feeley added another to his tally (21-5), before Wales made his hat trick (28-5). 

In the final quarter, the toll began to tell. Wales took a knock to the ankle during a beastly tackle, and Hastings went one prop down to boot. Amid the tension, captain Harry Walker added a yellow card to his growing list, and Hastings found themselves defending their own try line with 13 men, conceding a score in the process, 28-12.  

Spirits peaked in the final moments when back row Max Mowbray plucked a final try from the air, taking the high ball from the boot of Walker and scoring down the left side, finishing the game 33-12.

 LATE BURST SECURES AWAY WIN

Winning ways continued last Saturday (13 December) when H&B headed to Gravesend for a top four contest.

Under the cosh from the start, Hastings conceded first, but answered quickly with a well-struck penalty from the boot of Hirst: 7-3.

The game continued in this vain until half time, with Gravesend scoring another try, followed by a response from Hastings. Swift hands put Hirst in on the wing, with a classy finish under the posts, finishing the half with a four point deficit: 21-17. 

With the bomb squad of Kaleb Wiggan and Sam Surridge bolstering the Hastings ranks, the battle continued. Gravesend crossed the try-line twice in a row while Hastings fumbled several opportunities.

Finally, Hirst used more devastating pace to see in his hat-trick of tries, before scoring another penalty to put Hastings within a score (31-25).

Despite flanker Max Mowbray doing his best to derail the day’s efforts by butchering a five-on-one opportunity, Hastings stayed stuck in, putting increasing pressure on the home side’s line. 

Finally, a weaving break from Walker put the blue & white shirts within five metres, and young handsome hooker Noah Lindfield was able to cross the whitewash with a lovely line off Walker’s shoulder, 31-30. An easy conversion for Hirst put the visitors ahead by a point with 90 seconds to play.

Safe carrying and good decisions enabled H&B to see out the victory for an important win, raising them into third place in the league. 

Meanwhile, Hastings’ 2^nd XV were celebrating another convincing victory, topping a travelling Newick 48-24.  

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.

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)

Joe Stinson returned to the side after a three-month lay-off with a hamstring injury. Harry Walker, Frazer McManus, Joe Field, Calvin Crosby-Clarke and Sam Surridge all played prominent roles.

Tries were scored by Joe Whitehill James and by Walker (two), with two conversions and two penalties kicked by Surridge.

The win elevated H & B to third place in the final league table, having conceded less points than any other team in the league over the course of the season–a tribute to excellent defensive organisation.

Next week, as part of the club’s centenary celebrations, H & B entertain a Sussex Martlets XV at their Ark Alexandra ground, kick off 3pm. All are invited to support.

LONDON & SE – COUNTIES 3 KENT League Table (Top six)

Hastings & Bexhill recorded their sixth successive win in the Kent 3 League when they travelled to Whitstable last Saturday and won 23-10. Those victories have included four away from home -no mean feat in a league where sides tend to assemble much stronger line-ups when they’re playing at home.

However, 2nd–placed Beckenham also won convincingly away last Saturday, against Tunbridge Wells 2nd XV, so that their final match with H & B on 5 April will not now decide the runners-up spot. The best H & B can hope for is a victory over them on the day to challenge for third place behind them and champions Tonbridge Juddians. Even then, a bonus point win for Sittingbourne over Brockleians would elevate them above the Hastings team in the final league table.

Nevertheless it’s been a superb run of form for H & B that bodes well for the cup fixtures which are still to be played.

Hastings & Bexhill–68, 
Tunbridge Wells 2nd XV–5

PETER KNIGHT

In totally dominating this game at their Ark Alexandra ground last Saturday, Hastings & Bexhill recorded their fifth successive victory – a hat-trick of away wins, a home walk-over, and now a rampant display against the team from Tunbridge Wells. They matched a big opposition in the scrum, and their backs tore the visitors’ defence apart, scoring ten tries and converting nine.

Fielding a XV that showed only one change from the previous game at Gravesend, H&B ran up a 21-point lead by half time. Tries came from skipper Harry Walker, full back Hudson Wales and second row Suphanat Cramp. All three were converted by Tom Hirst, who has become a more than reliable kicker.

Cramp was then replaced by Matt Stringer, and Quin McManus by Vinnie Harrison. Almost from the kick-off, Harrison marked his return with a well-taken try. This was quickly followed by further tries from Joe Whitehill James, Blake Dixon and Tom Hirst, who added three more conversions. Sam Surridge then replaced Hirst; he himself crossed the whitewash three times more and converted two. Tunbridge Wells scored a consolation try late on.

This victory puts H&B up to fourth in the Kent 3 Counties league table with an outside chance of finishing in second place and thus gaining league promotion. That’s a tall order: in order to do so, they would have to bridge the eight-point gap between themselves and Beckenham 2nds over the final two fixtures of the season. But at the next round on 22 March Beckenham have to play away at Tunbridge Wells – who are likely to field a distinctly stronger side at home than at Hastings – while H&B will have a rather easier task, at least on paper, away at Whitstable. If these results both go H&B’s way, then there’s the prospect of a final match on 5 April in which Beckenham will play host to H&B with the runners-up spot still at issue.

Whatever the final outcome, the recent successes are a tribute to the commitment of the squad and their coaches Bruce Steadman and Ben Petty, assisted by Steve McManus who drills the forwards.

On 12 April H&B will entertain a Sussex Martlets XV as part of the club’s centenary celebrations.

At Hastings Athletics Club (HAC) it’s been a busy and successful year for the club in every discipline – from local events to international level – as it celebrated its 60th anniversary. 

Ten club members featured in the UK top 10 for their age group, and 13 made the top 20 for performances in track, field and road in 2024.  

An astonishing 52 athletes made it into the top 10 in the club’s own records, with 17 breaking a total of 28 club records between them.

Back in February, athletes of different age groups won medals in indoor track events and, as the cross-country season wrapped up, youth athletes represented their schools and county up to national level. The adult team joined forces with Hastings Runners to lift aloft the cup for the East Sussex Sunday League. 

At the highly anticipated Hastings Half Marathon in March, HAC’s Grace Baker was first female home, nearly seven minutes ahead of her nearest challenger; Rhys Boorman, also of HAC, came sixth in the men’s race. Tom Chaffin won the mini-run. 

Track season brought top performances in the youth development league and Southern Athletics league, while the Sussex County Championships produced 12 medals. Rae Le Fay went on to represent Team GB in the 2,000 metres steeplechase – the first HAC athlete to do so at international level in the last ten years. She broke a British Milers Club record on her qualifier at under 20s level, her name now to be etched on the awards board in the clubhouse alongside many club legends.

A surge in interest for field events was well supported, leading to two hammer throwers, Alanna Oakman and Kitti Szabo-Papp, competing nationally at the English Schools championships. 

The club hosted not only two very successful league events on the track, but also a 60th anniversary competition and awards ceremony emphasising the longstanding camaraderie among its members. The clubhouse has had a refresh and is now a buzzing social hub at the end of every session. There is huge optimism for 2025.

FOOTBALL

It’s been a tale of three managers at the Pilot Field in 2024 – four if you count the caretaker role played last month by coach Sean Ray. A year ago Chris Agutter was in his second stint at the helm after arriving in October. He steered Hastings United to the fringes of the promotion play-offs at the top of the Isthmian Premier League in the spring, then left for the richer pastures of Worthing, now going well in the Vanarama National League. Danny Bloor, once of Eastbourne Borough, came in May, but was gone by late October. New appointment from the beginning of this month is Danny Searle, former youth coach at West Ham, who is armed with a UEFA Pro Licence and has previous managerial experience at several clubs in the National League.

At the beginning of April, Agutter’s team seemed well set to finish in the league’s top five, but a disappointing run at the end of the season – only one win in the last five games – meant a final placing of seventh, nine points short of the lowest play-off place. They also disappointed in losing the Sussex Transport Cup Final 3-0 to Horsham at the Amex Stadium. Despite having signed an extension to his contract for the 2024-25 season, Agutter swiftly announced his departure.

Incoming boss Bloor could point to an excellent record at Eastbourne, and came in praising the quality of the playing squad he was inheriting at the Pilot Field, the calibre of the directors and staff he was joining, and the passion of ‘U’s supporters. Most players were retained from the previous season, though the speed and skill of winger John Ufuah has been sorely missed. And initial results were encouraging, Horsham being beaten 2-0 on the opening day, followed by an away win at Whitehawk and progress through two rounds of the FA Cup. 

However, the team lacked the control in midfield that Agutter had always espoused, and leaked goals in defence. Reverses were suffered both away and at home: cup eliminations were coupled with a slide down the league table to the relegation zone. Bloor was unceremoniously dismissed after an FA Trophy defeat at Hadley on 26 October.

Ray took the reins as interim manager and, like his predecessors, started with a win, 2-0 at home to Whitehawk. But a fortnight later, with several players less than fully fit, the ‘U’s suffered a humiliating 9-0 league defeat at Hendon, and it is probably a relief all round that a more travelled manager has now arrived.

The choice of Searle for the managerial job is presumably based upon his record of enhancing youth development. There’s clearly scope for that in Hastings, though the standard of playable training facilities may be rather lower than he is used to. Most observers would agree that there is enough footballing talent available, if the team is set up capably and recovers good fitness levels. Davide Rodari is a proven goalscorer, Adam Lovatt is a hard-working and combative captain in midfield, and young players like George Walker, Freddie Legg and Fin Chapman should improve with experience. 

So far, Searle has seen his team score a league cup win on penalties over third-placed Cray Valley PM, a 3-2 away win over Chichester City and a gutsy 1-1 draw away last Saturday at second-placed Billericay.  

CRICKET

Hastings & St Leonards Priory cricketers experienced an ultimately unsuccessful return to the Sussex Premier League in 2024 when they were relegated by the narrowest of margins. In other years their record over the season of six victories and nine defeats might have accumulated them enough league points to survive, but they finished just three points short of eighth-placed Bognor Regis.

Needing a victory on the last day at home to runners-up Horsham in order to retain their status, they only got the game going at all by a mopping-up operation after heavy overnight rain. Batting first in a contest reduced to 40 overs per side, Priory scored a total of 165 for seven; Horsham accumulated steadily in reply, but wickets then tumbled under murky skies, and the last over came with nine wickets down and nine runs to win – or eight to tie, which would have been sufficient for Priory’s escape. It was not to be: a conclusive boundary was hit off the penultimate ball, and the Hastings side will be playing back in Division 2 next summer.

On the batting front, new captain Harry Scowen led from the front all summer, scoring 556 runs from 14 innings, including two centuries. Caleb Laloo also enjoyed an excellent first season as an opener. But none of the middle order, often required to accelerate the tempo after a sedate start, retained any consistent form, so that the side posted competitive totals on too few occasions.

John Morgan was yet again the pick of the bowlers, taking 22 wickets. Adam Barton gave him good support when available, and Adam Page enjoyed his best season to date as spinner. Aussie recruit Alex Osborne was unable to bowl his leg-spinners with any sort of control, however, and was ultimately released in mid-season. Young all-rounders Seaver Cowley and Iden McCleave had their moments of success with both bat and ball, but lacked the consistency which more experience may bring.

The future of Priory’s home ground, Horntye Park, is still in the balance, the plans to dig it up for housing seeming no further forward than this time last year.  

RUGBY

With a new chairman Ben Davies, a new coaching duo of Bruce Steadman and Ben Petty, and a new captain, Harry Walker, Hastings & Bexhill have been celebrating their centennial season with eyes on the future as well as the past.

On the pitch, having survived the threat of a second successive relegation in the Kent League in the spring, H & B’s first XV have performed well this autumn, chalking up seven victories out of 11 matches in Counties 3. Top three in the division are 2nd XV teams from Tonbridge (Juddians), Tunbridge Wells and Beckenham, but the Hastings team beat Beckenham convincingly in their opening game in September and went down only narrowly 14-17 to Tunbridge Wells a month ago. Defence has been strong – they have conceded less league points than any other team; and when their backs are on song, they can also score freely: New Ash Green were thumped 47-15 at H & B’s home ground of Alexandra Academy last Saturday.

The squad is still lacking in numbers, short of sufficient replacements when first picks are injured or otherwise unavailable, though those who have come in have generally acquitted themselves well. One boost is the return of Quin McManus after a spell in New Zealand.

Women’s and junior/ ‘mini’ teams have, in the meantime, been thriving. The women have combined to produce a joint team with Seaford. The ‘minis’ train at the club every Sunday between 9.30 and 11am – playing full contact rugby at under 9, under 10 and under 11 levels. The under 10s won their first game of the Polgrove Salts Cup, defeating Seaford earlier this month.

Lower age-groups play under ‘tag’ rules, with numbers surging after the club’s annual ‘bring a friend’ day. There will be several festivals of rugby for them to play in early next year. And there is now an under 6s section for children in school Reception and Year 1, learning basic ball control through playing fun and interactive games with a dedicated coach.

Off the pitch the club has held a centenary ball as well as two lunches for former players.

TENNIS

The (mostly) friendly dance of rivalry between the Amherst club in Hastings and The Green in St Leonards continued in 2024 with perennial ups and downs. 

In the Tennis Sussex Winter Doubles competition, The Green men’s team, boosted by participation of coaches Joe Adams and Ross Cudmore (late of Amherst), were promoted to Division 2 in the spring and have scored two match wins out of three in the current season. Shorn of these players, they’re not the same force, as they showed finishing mid-table in Division 8 of the equivalent Summer competition.

Amherst, too, were promoted from Division 5 to Division 4 of the 2023-24 Winter league, with consistent performances by captain Dylan Preece, Quentin Soucek, Anthony Hickey and Mark Cunnington. They have been struggling, however, at the higher level. In the equivalent Summer Doubles, starting in Division 3, they fielded nine players including several new to first team play, but were unable to win a team match and will play next summer back in Division 4.

On the women’s side, The Green were relegated from Division 3 to Division 4 in the spring despite the efforts of their always proficient first pairing, Beaula Page and Amanda Ruck. In the Summer league they finished mid-table in Division 4.

Amherst’s women were involved in thrilling finales in both competitions. Needing a 3-1 victory in their final Winter match away at Horsham to be promoted to Division 2, they won all three matches in third set tie-breaks, Pearl Hare paired with Nikki Crowhurst, Anita Pearce with Jane Garrett. Summer Division 3 was just as tight: again Amherst needed a 3-1 win away against Seaford & Blatchington for equivalent promotion. All four matches went to third set tie-breaks: this time Pearce and Debi Ani won both theirs, but Crowhurst and Hare suffered agonising defeats.

There are no inter-club matches featuring singles play, but Amherst held a highly competitive closed tournament in June. On a day of freakish wind-gusts, Soucek overpowered Hickey in the men’s final, while Crowhurst and Hare fought a thrillingly turbulent (though immaculately sporting) contest, just edged by the former in another third set tie-break.

CRICKET

Graeme Mounsey, RIP

JOHN MORGAN

Hastings & St Leonards Priory cricketers are mourning the death of former president, treasurer and player Graeme Mounsey, who has sadly passed away at the age of 90.

Nobody has done more for the Priory club than Graeme. He was a founder member when Hastings & St Leonards merged with The Priory in 1957 to form one of the strongest clubs in the Southeast, and was captain when it joined the Sussex League in 1971. He featured in many of the club’s early successes including the 1974 Kemp Cup win and the 1978 league championship.

He played with distinction in all XIs across the men’s teams, primarily as a wily slow left-arm bowler who put fear into the opposition batting line-up, but also a lower order batsman with a century to his name.

By the late 70s, Graeme had dropped to the 2nd XI, but was leading wicket-taker in 1981. He finished his playing career forming a formidable spin bowling attack in the 4th XI with Peter Finch in the noughties, though not before being recalled to the first team as a 65-year-old when the team was hit by a spin bowling crisis.

Graeme was similarly committed off the field, serving the club in many posts over a cumulative 68 years, as a rigorous and tenacious treasurer (nobody got away with debts to the club), as secretary, and latterly as club president until stepping down earlier this year. He also ran the 100 Club, the draw being the conclusion to many a committee meeting.

From 1974 until 2002, he was the chairman of the Central Cricket Ground Trust, integral in the planning and development of Horntye Park to save senior cricket in the town following the demise of the Central Ground.

   Above all, Graeme was a sincere and caring person, eager to help young players and to share his love of the game and the club. He was a regular spectator, greeting fellow cricket lovers with a cheery smile and a polite ‘good afternoon’. His loss will be sorely felt. 

PETER KNIGHT

Hastings and Bexhill 1st XV travelled to Uckfield for this first round tie of the Sussex Shield. They were thoroughly beaten by a strong Sussex 1 side, who scored four good tries in the first half, three of which were converted. H&B made only three visits into the opposition half during the whole of this first session.

The loss of Wes Lorman after only five minutes play did not help the Hastings cause; it did, however. give coach Bruce Steadman the opportunity to bring Quin McManus back into the fold after his seven-month absence in New Zealand. He immediately settled to his task.

The second half was less one-sided, and in the 65th minute Frazer McManus crossed the line to give H&B a consolation try. The game was as good as over when Uckfield produced another well-executed move to score a final converted try. 

Hastings tackled well and scrummaged hard, but truthfully they were no match for a well-coached and talented squad who are currently top of Sussex Division 1. The H&B man of the match was hooker Josh Clarke, who played well throughout the game.

H&B return to Kent League action next week at home to Whitstable with a 2pm kick off.

9 November: Old Gravesendians 7,  Hastings & Bexhill 15
16 November: Hastings & Bexhill 17 Gravesend II 5

Hastings & Bexhill notched two wins in the Kent League on successive Saturdays, both against opposition from Gravesend.

Away wins in this league are always precious, and the victory in north Kent against the old boys team on 9 November was won by “unbelievable grit and determination”, according to H & B coach Ben Petty. The team took advantage of a considerable slope in the first half and built up a 15-0 lead with tries from Matt Stringer and Jacob McDonagh; the first was converted by Tom Hirst, who also kicked a penalty. 

In the second half, playing up the hill, they set up a solid and resilient defence, conceding only a single try. There were good performances throughout the side, especially from two of the younger players in the back row of the scrum, Matt Shepherd and Wes Lorman; the tackling of the backs was excellent, with Hudson Wales and Joe Field putting in some great hits.

A week later H & B entertained bottom-of-the-league Gravesend 2nd XV at their Ark Alexandra ground, with former players gathering at the clubhouse as part of the club’s centenary celebrations. A home victory was duly recorded. However, they’ll need to play rather better tomorrow (Saturday) when they travel again, this time to Tunbridge Wells. Their hosts will be another 2nd XV, but these are league leaders, having won seven matches out of eight so far this season.

Hastings & Bexhill U12s kicked off their season earlier this month at Ark Alexandra Academy with a thrilling friendly against their counterparts of Eastbourne. 

 Having enough players to field two teams, H&B showcased their depth. Despite making wholesale changes at half time there was no drop in quality. Overall, team cohesion, developing character and a sprinkle of individual brilliance bode well for the season to come.

The match ebbed and flowed throughout – a physical and exciting contest in which strong running was met with equally strong tackles. H&B took an almost immediate lead through Aubrey Tyson, and went on to enjoy the majority of possession and territory, yet found themselves four tries to one behind with ten minutes left. They never gave up, and late tries by Lucas Ridley and Dexter Baker brought them back into contention. A final comeback try, scored again by Tyson, showcased their aggressive running into contact, support play and rucking.

Players of the match (as awarded by their opponents) were Tadhg Pitts and Baker. 

The team will play their league matches in the Sussex Waterfalls League Pool D, with a first match at home to Bognor on 20 October. 

New players are welcome to join the team. Training takes place
at Ark Alexandra on Wednesday evenings (6.45-8pm) and Sunday mornings (11.30am-1pm).
For more information see
hastingsrugby.org 

Hastings & Bexhill 31 Beckenham II 16

PETER KNIGHT

Hastings & Bexhill kicked off their 100th season last Saturday with a pre-match lunch, the first of many celebratory events. The occasion was attended by local MPs, the Mayor of Hastings, the Principal of Ark Alexandra Academy, four Presidents of Sussex RFU and many of the club sponsors. The team went on to secure a convincing home win in the Kent 3 League against the newly promoted Beckenham II XV. 

New coaches Bruce Steadman and Ben Petty selected a team based on last year’s squad, but included two fresh faces, Jackson Coulter at full back and Vinnie Harrison in the pack. Both are products of the club’s youth development programme.

Hastings opened the scoring with an unconverted try from Coulter. The H&B forwards were dominating the play and fed the ball out to the back line. After increased pressure on the visitors’ defence, centre Jake Stinson benefited from a great break by Tom Hirst to touch down, Hirst converting to make the score 12-0.

Beckenham came back with a converted try and two well-taken penalties to lead by one point at half time.

Barring the concession of one penalty kick, the second half was all about H&B: they dominated every set piece and built up a clear lead. Harrison scored a good try to restore the advantage. Hooker Josh Clarke crashed over the line for the bonus point try, which was converted by Coulter. Then Hirst scored the try of the game with an incisive run through the visitors’ defence to touch down under the posts. A further conversion by Coullter made the final score 31-16.

The whole H&B squad, inspired by captain Harry Walker, put in a great performance, beating a strong London club whose 1st XV play in a league five levels above. Next week H&B are away to New Ash Green, and hopefully they can build on this first success.

Organised into two pools of four teams playing each other in a round-robin format were H& B, Dartford Valley, Tonbridge Juddians and Brighton (Pool 1); Cranbrook, Westcombe Park, Sevenoaks and Hove (Pool 2).

H&B scored an opening win against Dartford, lost to Juddians in their second game, but won their third 10-7 against Brighton. With two first half tries, H&B seemed in control but, after their opponents scored a converted try in reply, had to defend stoutly in a tense finish to keep ahead so as to qualify for the third/fourth place play-off.

In this game, against Sevenoaks, H&B scored two breakaway tries, one in each half, and dominated for long periods, but ultimately fatigue started to sink into the side, and Sevenoaks scored four in reply to seal third place. The final was won by Westcombe Park, overcoming Juddians after a dramatic last-ditch try.

Onlookers praised the camaraderie and sportsmanship on display in all teams, epitomised by the adjacent multi-team photograph. 

Hastings & Bexhill RFC are always looking for new players: age five + – adults, girls and boys of all abilities hastingsrugby.org or email minis.rugby@hastingsrugby.org 

The Hastings and Bexhill under 15s squad is made up of 28 boys, some that have played since they have been five years old, some that have joined the club this season. Within the group, seven boys train in Development Player Programmes of professional clubs – six at Harlequins, one at Saracens. But they also have four dedicated local coaches, Ben Davies, Roger Roberts, Paul Fielder and Olly Turpin, all of whom have long-term connections with H&B or other East Sussex clubs.

Ben started playing rugby for H&B when he was nine years old and is still a current senior H&B player (when his body allows). He has held the roles of director of rugby, senior team coach and is now co-junior chairman.

Roger started his rugby playing at William Parker School when he was 14 years old, then joined H&B to play in the junior and colts teams. He progressed on to the senior team and became club captain for two years, though he now applies his skills in refereeing and coaching.

Paul also started to play when he was at William Parker. As a senior he played at Rye Rugby Club.

Olly started playing as a wee seven-year-old in Derbyshire, was a schoolboy player in North Wales, then moved down south and played for Eastbourne and Hellingly until his late 30s.

Paul and Olly both brought their sons to the club as juniors, then decided to get involved with coaching and volunteer their time, along with Ben and Roger, as part of the coaching team for the U15s age group.

This season, the H&B U15s are in Sussex League 1. They started with a draw against Haywards Heath, have beaten Chichester and Eastbourne, and lost to Hove, Worthing and Pulborough. That record puts them in sixth place, with one game to play against East Grinstead on 24 March. There have also been friendlies with Cranbrook, Bromley and Horsham, and more planned against Gillingham, Dartford Valley and Lewes.

The U15s have a “take over day” on Sunday 14 April, when they will host a tournament featuring seven other teams from across Kent and Sussex.

WIN OVER EASTBOURNE

In the meantime, there’s nothing more satisfying than a hard-fought win against your closest neighbours. That’s how it turned out in the U15s’ most recent game against Eastbourne on 3 March. 

Eastbourne’s strong runners and their speed at the ruck gave them early momentum and two unconverted tries. H&B scrumhalf Rupert Sheppard found a gap in the opposing ranks to touch down for a try in response, but Eastbourne came again with two swift tries as several tackles were missed in defence. At 22-5 down, it seemed that H&B were heading for a heavy defeat.

But slowly the tide turned. H&B altered their tactics in possession, choosing a more expansive game, moving the ball wider and evading the physically larger Eastbourne team. They also covered faster in defence, denying their opposition the time in attack that they had hitherto enjoyed. 

Up front captain Azat Kesen and his band of forwards drew in the Eastbourne defence in the tight, giving more space to the backs.

With more possession and attacking intent of their own, H&B provided some champagne rugby. Both centres Louis Turpin and William Richardson started to break the gain line consistently, full back Ben Coulson was able to join the attacks, and wingers Thomas Bryant and Kieron Robinson were able to exploit the space created. 

A rampaging run by number 8 Toby Fielder turned the defence, and a desperate clearing kick by Eastbourne found Coulson, who embarked on a mazy run to return the backs with interest. Turpin barrelled over to score a try that was converted by William Roberts. 

That score released the floodgates. Roberts scored another try, which he himself converted to bring the score up to 22-19. Sheppard touched down his second to put H&B ahead, then flanker Monty Wheeler went over to score H&B’s fifth, making the final score 31-22 in their favour. 

Hastings & Bexhill RFC are always looking to recruit new players from five-years-old upwards – adults, girls and boys of all abilities. See the website www.hastingsrugby.org or email minis.rugby@hastingsrugby.org to arrange a free, no obligation try-out.   

They started well enough, racking up ten tries in a 64-19 home victory over Whitstable in their first match in September. Unfortunately new skipper Harry Walker broke his wrist in scoring one of them, and has been sidelined since. Jake Stinson, who claimed a hat-trick of tries, took over the captaincy.

The following two fixtures pitted them against the 2nd XVs of bigger clubs, Tonbridge Juddians and Old Alleynians. Despite valiant efforts they succumbed 12-38 and 15-32 respectively; in the latter game, fly half and place-kicker Bruce Steadman also suffered a serious shoulder injury.

The distraction of the Rugby World Cup taking place in France combined with the unseasonable volumes of recent rainfall – that rendered even the generally accommodating Ark Alexandra home pitch unfit for play – led to only one fixture being fulfilled over the next five weeks, a disappointing 17-20 defeat at Gravesend on 21 October. And last Saturday they were beaten again 7-24 by Faversham.

The next two fixtures will be at home. Tomorrow (Saturday) they entertain New Ash Green, then on 2 December Sittingbourne are the visitors. These are games they will feel they need to win.

In a cup double-header on 22 April covering quarterfinal ties in both the Papa Johns Community Cup and the Bob Rogers Cup, H&B resoundingly beat Burgess Hill (the Sussex All Blacks). A week later, in the semi-final of the former competition, they played a storming first half against Vigo – twice winners over them in league competition earlier in the season – and shortly before halftime held a ten-point lead, 22-12. They could not maintain their form, however, and in the end were well beaten, playing 20 minutes with only 14 men after two successive yellow cards were administered for disciplinary offences.

Against Burgess Hill, playing in ideal conditions, H&B fielded a strong squad and never looked like losing. In the opening exchanges the visitors presented some difficulties with tough tackles and a solid defence, but the Hastings pack dominated the scrum and lineout: Jacob McDonagh, Mike Woodrow and Quin McManus all put in great performances. 

Hat trick of tries

Man of the Match Calvin Crosby-Clark opened the scoring with a fine driving try from a 5m lineout; captain Steadman converted with a good kick. By half time Maynard had scored a hat trick of tries, the third coming as the result of a tremendous break from Harry Walker who put the flanker clear. Crosby-Clark added another try and Steadman was successful with another conversion and a penalty, making the score 32-10 at the interval.

The second half was almost a carbon copy of the first, H&B totally outclassing the West Sussex side and scoring five more tries. Joe Field capitalised on some great backs play to score two; Louis Sealy, Dan Suggitt and Crosby Clark all added to the total, and Steadman completed the rout with two more conversions.

 The visitors did score four tries of their own in reply, these all coming during a period when H&B had two players off the pitch for yellow card offences. The home team might have learnt the cost of indiscipline from this – but seemed to forget it a week later.

Vigo defeat

Last Saturday Steadman opened the scoring with a beautifully struck penalty from 40m out. Vigo hit back with two quick tries to make the score 12-3. H&B lifted their game and from a 5m penalty Ben Davies charged the line to touch down. Steadman converted. Then Maynard made a terrific break to burst through the home defence and whipped the ball outside to Matt Sheppard, who scored a fantastic try. Immediately from the restart the ball was fed out through the backs to Charlie Glasper. He crossed the line under the posts to give Steadman another straightforward conversion. Thus after 36 minutes the score was 22-12, though Vigo added a converted try of their own to reduce the half time deficit to three points.

Unfortunately, the second half was a different story, Vigo scoring four more tries with three conversions. But it has to be said H&B eased their task by conceding far too many penalties as well as two consecutive yellow cards. For 20 minutes of the game Hastings were playing one man down, during which Vigo scored 19 points without reply. At this level an extra player is a big advantage. 

So there’ll be no cup finale this season. Vigo will go on to contest the Papa Johns final at the Saracens’ Stonex Stadium in Barnet. The semi-finals and final of the Bob Rogers Cup will be held over until the beginning of the 2023/24 season.

The Hastings and Bexhill squad for this Sussex Vase Final contained an excellent combination of youth and experience; however on the day they were not quite good enough to overcome old rivals Eastbourne.

Hastings scored three good tries, which at one stage in the second half brought the score to 15-17, including two push-overs touched down by No 8 Chris Butler at the base of the scrum and a third notched by John Hanagarth after coming on as a second half replacement. But Eastbourne exposed the inexperience of the H&B defence, capitalising on breakaways against the run of play to score their four converted tries.

The 1st XV meanwhile travelled to Motspur Park in south west London for a second round tie with Old Blues in the Papa Joes Community Cup. They emerged narrow victors 27-25 in the final seconds of the game after tries from Harry Walker, Jacob McDonagh, Bruce Steadman and Tom Hirst, coupled with some excellent kicking from Steadman. 

At the time of going to press the details of the next round aren’t known, but the game will be played tomorrow (Saturday). The quarter final round of the Bob Rogers Cup in which H&B are due to play Burgess Hill has been postponed.

H&B under 13s have had an eventful season so far and risen to every challenge with resilience and perseverance.

Unprecedented wet weather at the beginning of the season resulted in unplayable pitches across the county, and the boys were champing at the bit when they finally saw some action. But with fire in their bellies they have travelled away to battle against quality teams at Uckfield, Pulborough and Hove, and most recently secured victory on their home ground against a visiting Chichester team.

Expert coaching from H&B’s first team players Harry Walker and Quinn McManus has seen the team grow and improve week on week.

The squad is made up of a mixture of experienced players and keen beginners, and we are looking for new players to join the fun!

Big or small, anyone can play rugby, and our diverse and inclusive team are ready to welcome you.

To try it out, or learn more about what we do, contact hastingsrugby.org or email minis.rugby@hastingsrugby.org. 

H&B may have been feeling confident in advance of the arrival of last Saturday’s visitors from Orpington, Westcombe Park II, to their Ark Alexandra ground, having beaten them away in the reverse fixture back in December. 

But this was clearly a different team. Westcombe Park’s 1st XV currently lead the London & South East Region Premier League (level 5 of the English rugby pyramid) by 14 points – and didn’t have a fixture on Saturday. It was obvious from the kick-off in this game that many of the big strong men in red had experience at a higher level. 

H&B have won four of their 17 league fixtures so far this season, and that is to their credit. They have a good but small squad, training twice a week and on many occasions playing out of their skins. Unfortunately against sides like Westcombe Park, Sevenoaks and Canterbury this is not enough. Senior squads have players on the fringes, others coming back from injury, and those coming to the end of their careers, and they all need run-outs. So fixtures for level 8 teams like H&B against level 4 and 5 players are hard tough games, which tend to result in injuries to the lower level players, which may put them out of action for weeks at a time. The squad is then weakened for the games at a more equal level – and then more losses occur. 

After 20 minutes play the visitors were 19-0 in the lead, having scored three devastating tries, two of which were converted.

H&B worked hard to contain their opponents and hit back with a great try from man-of-the-match Calvin Crosby-Clark. The second row forward received the ball in the third phase of a line-out move and crashed over the line. Skipper Bruce Steadman kicked the conversion and the half time score was 19-7.

In the second half the Hastings team matched their opponents well, only conceding two tries, until a third was touched down in the last minute to make a final score of 36-7 which rather flattered the victors.

Hastings & Bexhill 19, Park House 22

Review by Peter Knight

A massive second half effort by H & B ended in agonising defeat at their Ark Alexandra ground last Saturday. Down 19-0 at half-time with visitors Park House in total control, the home team dominated after the turn-around, scoring three good tries through stand-in scrumhalf Sam Surridge, centre Joe Field and lock forward (and man of the match) Mike Clifford. The latter two tries were converted by Surridge to put the sides level at 19-apiece.

Could H&B clinch a win? Unfortunately not. In the last minute Park House were awarded a penalty, the kick hit the bar and wobbled over.

The losing bonus point has, however, lifted the Hastings team one place up the league above Maidstone, whom they play against tomorrow (Saturday).

Hastings United celebrate title victory April 2022
CREDIT: Scott White

Football

The long term future of Hastings United and of its century-old ground at the Pilot Field is the subject of news headlines which threaten to overshadow the team’s performances on the pitch. However, 2022 has been an excellent year for manager Gary Elphick and his squad, gaining promotion to the Isthmian Premier League in April, and maintaining their position in the top half of the higher league table during the first four months of the current season.

This time last year the ‘U’s were lying only fifth in the South Eastern Division, but by the middle of January they had risen to the top, then won a pivotal game at the end of that month on the 3G pitch at Ashford, their nearest challengers. From that point on they were in cruise control, and never seemed likely to falter, suffering only one defeat in 20 games between November and April. 

Complementing this run of success came bumper crowds. From December onwards, home attendances regularly topped 1,000; at away matches the travelling supporters from Hastings often out-numbered home support. A remarkable 3,000+ showed up at Pilot Field on 2 April for the match against Haywards Heath, when promotion would be secured by a victory. Frustratingly, that game ended in a 0-0 draw, but the following Saturday a draw at Faversham sealed both promotion and the league title.

Season 2022-23 so far has been one of consolidation. The team remains extremely hard to beat, with Louis Rogers excelling in goal and Alex Brefo, newly added to the squad, a commanding figure in defence. Only 13 goals have been conceded in 18 league games. 

Scoring has been rather harder. Summer recruits brought in by Elphick to provide a supply line to striker Ben Pope have disappointed. However, the occasional appearances of Joe Gbode, a 17-year-old loanee from Gillingham who looks to have a bright future in the professional game – he has been playing recently in the League Two side’s first team – have shown that, with some sustained quality up front, Hastings could be in with a shout for at least a play-off place, come April.

The United women’s team narrowly missed out on promotion from the South Division of the London & South East Regional League (tier six of the women’s football pyramid) despite winning 15 out of 18 games, including twice against eventual champions Crawley. This season, staying at the same level, they have won all nine league games – but so have near neighbours Ashford. The championship may again go to the wire.

H & B team 2022/23 beneath new posts at Ark
CREDIT: Peter Knight

Rugby 

The Hastings & Bexhill club has seen major changes and developments on and off the pitch.

The 1st XV completed their 2021-22 season in the Kent League as runners up to Park House and narrowly lost the Kent Vase Final to the same Bromley-based club.

This season saw a major reorganisation of the Kent League structure. H&B have been placed in County League 2 and are currently holding their own against some very strong opposition.

The mini and junior sections continue to thrive; a very successful mini festival was held in October. On many occasions the 1st XV squad of 18 contains 14 or more players who started their rugby career in the minis.

Chairman of over ten years Jerry Hohenkerk retired in May, to be replaced by former club skipper Neil Redman.

During the close season the goal posts which had been installed over 30 years ago were replaced; the job took three weekend sessions undertaken by members volunteering their labour.

A sponsorship deal for 1st XV shirts, post protectors and corner flags was signed with Greymoor Homes. 

Sadly, the club mourned the deaths of four long term members. David Sansbury and Ron Yates passed away in February, Richard Sheppard in September and David Grey in November. They had all served the club as players and in other roles as sponsors, coaches and committee members.

Cricket

After such a successful season in 2021 – the 3rd XI promoted as champions, the 2nd XI finishing 3rd in Div 4 East and the 1st XI completing a miraculous Premier League relegation survival by winning the last four games – the cricketers of Hastings & St Leonards Priory were always going to find the 2022 season a challenging one. There was more than usual unavailability at the start of the season, impacting on all the teams, and the 1st XI suffered a major setback when overseas recruit Abhay Negi, of whom much was expected with both bat and ball, broke his arm within the first month of the season and spent most of the summer nursing it on the sidelines.

These misfortunes increased opportunities for younger players, however. For the majority of the season there were on average six or seven teenagers in the team – quite an ask in Premier League cricket – who put in some excellent individual performances. Harvey Faulkner, Dylan Woolley, Iden McCleave, Dan Pascall and Seaver Cowley all shone on occasion, and there were many games where the team should have got over the line to record victories but didn’t quite do so. Despite eventual relegation it was a great exposure and experience for the younger players to take forward to next year. The 3rd XI were also relegated but in a ten-team division where four teams were relegated, retaining status was always going to be a tall order. The 2nd XI enjoyed a great end-of-season run to win four of their last five matches and retain their place in a highly competitive Div 4 East.

Off the pitch, the move away from Horntye – home of the club since 1995 – to Claremont was overall a pretty successful one. Work undertaken on the ground pre-season paid off: the wicket and pitches played very well, scoring highly on the league umpires’ pitch reports. The plan for the 2023 season is to remain at Claremont, with hopes that a new cricket square and net training facilities will be laid in March 2023 in readiness for the 2024 season.

Jason Finch, leading Priory all-rounder for many years and father of Sussex batsman Harry Finch, has been appointed as Director of Cricket at the club with the task of mentoring and co-ordinating all the men’s teams. It’s hoped that all three team captains will resume their roles next year under his guidance. Whether there will be another overseas recruit has not yet been decided. 

Tennis

The Amherst club, formed in 1922, celebrated its centenary in style in September, well in excess of 100 past and present members sharing self-catered food and undertaking a variety of tennis challenges promoted over its seven courts. Most rewarding was the number of former child players who have left the town as adults but returned for the day to meet their former coaches and play again on the courts where they had first learnt their skills.

In county doubles competitions both men’s and ladies’ first teams retained status in respective winter and summer leagues. For the men Quentin Soucek and Dylan Preece have formed a formidable pairing, while the ladies team led by Jane Garrett and Nikki Crowhurst continue to compete at a very high level, often matched against professional coaches in opposing ranks.

Down the road at The Green, the men’s first team have been holding their positions in county competitions, while the second team won Division 6 of the 2021-22 winter doubles league. The ladies found it difficult to compete at previous standards while leading player Amanda Ruck was out with injury, but she has now returned – with the added personal satisfaction of claiming Amherst’s singles title in September. The Green’s mixed doubles team currently heads the Wealden League standings.