Hove v Uckfield

Hove 22 v Uckfield 5

A great result on Sunday against a team that had scored over 100 points in their first 2 league games and were at the top of the table. Things did not start to well and we were 5 nil down after 2 mins and I had not yet got out of the changing room. Then on six minutes a break from our scrum and some quick passing from the backs let Dom Heath in from the wing and it was 5 all. However too many tackles, mainly high, kept us on the back foot and allowed Uckfield to continuously press forward. We compounded our problems by losing too many scrums against the head and it was not helped when Connor Andrews limped off with a pulled ham string. Our consistent strong defence especially the quick line speed from the backs prevented Uckfield from breaking through and putting more points on the scoreboard. However when we did manage to get quick ball from the forwards our backs were a big threat and our constant moving forward resulted in Steven Marsh going over for his 12th try of the season which was converted by George Davies. We turned around 12-5 up which was a credit to the teams work rate and endeavour to have so effectively overcome our continued mistakes

At half time the front row said that they had solved the problem with the loss of our put-ins and true to their word we had no further losses in the second half - so well done. In fact on several occasions when Uckfield put- in we managed to drive them backwards. The team were also told to cut out the high tackles and this resulted in fewer penalties in the second half. The referee remarked after the game that as soon as we reduced the penalty count we started to dominate. So a lesson for you all.

Our defence in the second half was outstanding and Uckfield's dangerous centres never managed to break through Several tackles by the forwards managed to drive Uckfield's strong players many metres backwards. An excellent penalty taken by George Davies put the team 15-5 in the lead and that seemed to leave Uckfield somewhat demoralised. Further slick handling from the backs, who were confident enough to try their moves from any position on the field, resulted in a further try on the wing by Piers Hammer and the resultant conversion by George Davies put us 22-5 ahead

Towards the end of the game with Uckfield pushing hard in our 22 a sudden breakout by Juan Ponce-de- Leon which neatly avoided a number of Uckfield players and with him only getting caught on their half way line seemed to take the wind out of Uckfield and I know quietened their supporters.

A point of note is that there were a number of occasions when an individual forward made a great counter ruck but those forwards close by just seemed to stop and admire, which allowed the opposition to recover the ball. Counter rucking and turn-over's are great opportunities to score tries especially with the skill and pace of our backs. So those who just stand and watch should in the future get stuck in so that the ball can be won and moved out quickly

Also a slight downside was that we butchered two possible tries in the last quarter of the game which would have put the game well out of reach. So still a work in progress. However if the team can win against a strong team like Uckfield by scoring 22 unanswered points after being 5-0 down within 2 mins then it shows not just great endeavour but great resilience, ability and teamwork

Well done to all, especially those on the bench who came on during the game and helped add to the teams momentum.

We have beaten the current league leaders and have a game in hand. So if we can continue to improve with each game then winning the league is well within our grasp.

Mike