Hove Vs Reigatians

Hove sent a strong side up to Old Reigations in their final warm-up game before the league season kicks off next week. Hove were met with a dry track, however there was a strong wind blowing horizontally down the pitch, which no doubt would play its part.

After Old Reigations won the toss and decided to play with the wind behind their backs, Hove kicked off through Rob Biggs and the ball was won from the kick off by Sam Whiting. Hove were getting into their patterns well and were making good ground through Morgan Griffin and Ian William until Hove failed to effectively clean out a ruck and a penalty for ‘holding on’ was given. This was to be a running theme in the first half with Hove conceding numerous penalties at the breakdown and the Reigations number 10 using the wind effectively to pin Hove back into their own half. Hove’s defence stood firm time and time again with one particular strong double tackle from Ryan Morlen and Guy Patton in midfield rocking the opposition centre. When turnovers were won, instead of looking up and moving the ball Hove put in ineffective kicks to the Reigations back three.

When Hove had ball in hand they looked dangerous and a lovely break from Rob Biggs down the right hand side was only denied a try when the last pass to Will Walker was met by a Reigations hand and the momentum was lost. Martin Dawson on debut was later shown a yellow card for not retreating ten after a penalty, but Hove’s resolute defence stood firm and Reigations could only muster a penalty just before half time, Hove 0 Old Reigations 3.

The Reigations 10 restarted by putting the ball straight into touch and Hove had a scrum on half way in which to attack. As the backs split, Hove attacked through Whiting, Morlen and Garrish down the left. After breaking the first tackle, Ryan Morlen then backed his pace by chipping the fullback. Unfortunately the foot race was won by the Reigations wing, but Hove were on the attack minutes after the restart.

Without the wind behind them Reigations struggled to make ground, attack after attack was met by firm Hove defence, Jack Silcocks leading the way with a couple of big tackles. Another penalty in midfield however gave Reigations the front foot and after Morgan Griffin hobbled off injured, Hove were down to seven in the pack whilst a replacement came from the 2nd team fixture. Reigations won a 5M scrum and against the Hove 7 managed to get a shove on and their number 8 picked up from a metre out for the score, duly converted by the fly-half, Hove 0, Old Reigations 10.

Hove continued to have the majority of possession and territory and were rewarded after Ryan Morlen found Phil Dugard on his shoulder who in turn drew the full back to put the impressive Guy Patton in for the score. Phil Dugard added the extras, Hove 7, Old Reigations 10. Hove again came at Reigations and were getting good value from their attacks. Guy Patton looked dangerous every time he got the ball in space and was only denied a second score after unselfishly trying to put Bryn Garrish in at the corner when it would have been easier to score himself! Hove did add to their points total however after the ball was spun out to Ryan Morlen and Sam Whiting who executed a 3 on 2 to put Will Walker in the corner. Phil Dugard pushed the extras just wide; Hove 12 Reigations 10.
Reigations came back and knocked over a simple 3 points to take the lead as the rain began to fall; Hove 12 Reigations 13. Hove pressed hard looking for the winning score and after Guy Patton was felled just short of the line, the ball was recycled out to Bryn Garrish on the left hand side of the pitch. After a couple of pick and drives from the forwards, debutant Martin Dawson squeezed over from a yard out to put Hove in front. Phil Dugard knocking over the extras to take Hove six points clear.

Hove held on for victory and as the 80 minutes were up, second row Carl Buckland punted the ball into row Z much to the amusement of the Hove players. So back to back pre-season wins for Hove, putting them in good stead to open their league campaign at home to Deal next week. With the first team pitch now fully operational after two years of work, it would be great to get a big crowd down to cheer the boys on in the opening game of the season.