Defiant Hove come back for Bonus Point win

Hove vs. Dartfordians (A)
After another week break, Hove travelled to Dartford to what was their penultimate league game of the season and last away trip. In the return fixture before Christmas, Dartfordians had dispatched Hove by 47-22 and were sitting comfortably third in the table.

Hove kicked off playing against a slight breeze on a firm track despite the recent heavy rain. Dartfordians started off the better of the two sides, going through the phases and turning the Hove backline with neat kicks that kept the back three of Patton, Walker and Whiting on their toes.

It was Hove who would strike first however with Will Walker intercepting a long cut out pass and racing 70 metres. Conversion missed by Phil Dugard and Hove led 5-0. This seemed to galvanise Dartfordians who scored three great tries twice through the winger and once from their fly-half who also added the extras.
Earlier in the season a deficit of 21-5 would have seemed a mountain for this young side to topple, however Hove are now made of sterner stuff and played some of best rugby of the season.

Strong carries in midfield from Adrian Shergold, Carl Buckland and Martin Macdonald combined with deft handling from Mike Robinson and Rob Ward gave Hove a great platform from which to build. This then allowed the half back pairing of Rob Biggs and Phil Dugard to dictate the game which they did superbly all afternoon.

Hove’s second try of the afternoon came after a great flat out pass from Sam Whiting sent Will Walker down the right hand side of the pitch, after beating three defenders, he offloaded out of the tackle to Phil Ward to crash over. Phil Dugard pushed the conversion just wide.
A third try soon followed again after strong carries in midfield from young Kyle Woolard. Quick ball from the Hove half backs allowed Sam Whiting to join the line and after selling the Dartfordians winger a dummy, went over in the corner. Conversion again pushed from wide out.

Hove, now playing with great ambition continued to attack. A penalty was kicked to the corner and the axis of Phil Ward and Carl Buckland which was superb all day, allowed the Hove eight to maul the Dartfordians pack over the line; Mike Robinson coming up with the ball. This time the right boot of Phil Dugald was true from the touchline and Hove had fought back to lead 22-21 at halftime.

Ryan Morlen came on to replace Ryan Bhimji in the centre; however a hip injury ended his participation after only 2 minutes and he was replaced by Boyd Flavell. Hove continued to kick intelligently through Biggs and Dugard and a strong kick chase forced Dartfordians to attack from deep.

Rob Ward as ever was a real thorn in the Dartfordians side at the breakdown, slowing their ball down and winning turnovers. As the line out continued to function as well as it has done all season, Martin Macdonald broke through the centres and Hove were only prevented from extending their lead by a Dartfordians hand stripping the ball.

Dartfordians came back, and strong carries from their number 8 brought good yards; however tough tackling from Guy Patton and Ian William prevented any danger. A strong break from Guy Patton down the left wing almost gave Hove a fourth try; however Sam Whiting was unable to hold onto a Patton offload with the try line begging.

After Hove had given a penalty away just inside their own half, the Dartfordians fly half pinned Hove back deep into their 22. The lineout was won and Hove were getting pushed back, however some great defensive work by the Hove forwards prevented a score. Dartfordians continued to press, twice winning the ball against the head at Hove scrums, however again led by Rob Ward, the Hove defensive line held out. Their defensive effort was helped after a Dartfordians player knocked on with a try looking a certainty.

Back came Hove with Rob Biggs continuing to have an impressive day with the boot from hand. With Hove pressing inside the Dartfordians 22, quick ball found its way to Sam Whiting who with some neat footwork crossed and went round underneath the sticks. Rob Biggs knocking over the extras to give Hove an 8 point cushion. 21-29.

With time running out, Hove won a penalty just outside the Dartfordians 22, Rob Biggs’s shot at goal was dragged horribly, however the ball went dead and with it the final whistle sounded.

A terrific result for Hove who gave their most complete performance of the season. Some outstanding contributions across the park; Will Walker was a constant threat with ball in hand; Carl Buckland won everything at the lineout under constant pressure from his opposite man. However man of the match went to centre Martin Macdonald (voted for by Guy Patton) who got over the gain line every time he got the ball.
Hove leapfrog Old Colfeians into 7th and can cement this position in the last league game of the season with a win next week at home to struggling Thanet.
Hove: Maguire, P. Ward, Shergold, Buckland, William, Woolard, R. Ward, Robinson, Biggs, Dugard, Patton, Macdonald, Bhimji, Walker, Whiting (c) Subs. Flavell, Bath, Morlen.