Hove's dream start to the season came crashing to a halt away to Haywards Heath last weekend. In a game where the hosts controlled the game very well and fully deserved their win, Hove came close to stealing something from the game at several points. They came within three points and for a long period of time in the early second half were threatening to score but couldn't convert. Haywards Heath caught them napping to put the game beyond the losing bonus point but even then Hove were still fighting for the try bonus. Unfortunately for the team, they were unable to convert their chances and came away from the game with nothing to show for it in terms of league points.

This week they'll have a chance to make amends against Old Alleynians but they'll have to be on good form to do it. Old Alleynians have traditionally been a tricky team for Hove, coming away from the Rec last year with a 34-36 win. Old Alleynians have had a mixed start, coming away with an impressive win against Charlton Park but losing two of their four games so far.

Player(s) to Watch

Three players make their debut for the team today - Jacob Pavlides, Charlie West and Jack Webb. All three have won a call up to the squad and will have a great chance to impress their coaches as well as the #hovefamily members watching the game. Jacob is one of an ever-increasing number of players who played youth rugby at the club. Head Coach Sandy Robertson said "there must be some mileage in what we do here. The pathway goes 16s, colts, away to university, come back to the club, 3rds, 2nds, 1st team debut. In the squad we've got players from multiple generations of colts - Ryan Storer, Tom, Rob Ward, Ryan Morlen and many more with the latest being Jacob."

Return to Rugby?

Pavlides actually made his return to rugby through social training - just a small group of 3rd XV players playing touch on a Thursday (6 - 7pm). He played a couple of social and 3rd XV games towards the end of last season and has progressed through the Beef up to the 1st XV. Even if you haven't played rugby in a while, there's definitely a pathway back into the game for anyone, whether you played rugby for Hove before or not! We pride ourselves in developing our own players, so if you fancy coming back to rugby (or even starting for the first time!) then come down to one of our sessions - who knows, maybe you'll be a future Player to Watch!

The Team

1. Declan Peake
2. Jacob Pavlides
3. Adi Shergold
4. Kyle Woollard
5. Ian Saunders
6. Chris Knott
7. Charlie West
8. Rob Ward
9. Rob Biggs
10. Carles Casanova Galindo
11. Tom Lemehaute
12. Martin Macdonald
13. Ryan Morlen
14. Nick Paddenburg
15. Sam Whiting (c)

Replacements

16. Ryan Storer
17. Jack Webb
18. Jerome Pye