Comeback Kings Deny Thanet

Hove vs. Thanet (H)

Hove entertained Thanet in their final league game of the season. The reverse fixture ended with Hove scoring with the last play of the game to earn a bonus point and taking the spoils 30-15.

After Thanet lost narrowly to Crowborough last week they needed a bonus point victory in order to avoid relegation. Hove on the other hand would cement 7th in the league with their own bonus point victory.
After the Thanet kick off didn’t go the required ten metres, Hove put good phases together to earn a penalty under the sticks which Phil Dugard gratefully accepted, 3-0. With Thanet fighting for their lives, they made a real mess of Hove’s breakdown and this was to be a regular occurrence during the afternoon.

After some sustained pressure and weak tackling from Hove, Thanet were awarded a penalty 10 metres out, with the Hove players switching off assuming the shot at goal, the number 7 took the penalty quickly and drove over the line. Conversion successful, 3-7.

At the next lineout, blindside flanker Jack Newton fell awkwardly injuring his ankle, this led to the game being stopped for 40 minutes while an ambulance arrived. All at Hove wish Jack a speedy recovery and look forward to him putting the maroon and blue hooped jersey on again soon. Kip Wallace came on as his replacement.

When play resumed it was Thanet who were causing Hove issues and after a Hove scrum was wheeled, the Thanet number 8 picked up the loose ball and crashed over for the score. The extras were missed, 3-12.

Hove then enjoyed some good possession, the axis of Phil Ward and Carl Buckland at the lineout was again working and strong carries from Martin Macdonald and Adrian Shergold got Hove on the front foot. Although Will Walker failed to give the final pass on a 3 on 1 when he had both Sam Whiting and Guy Patton outside him, he did get on the end of a lovely Martin Macdonald offload to get Hove’s first try of the afternoon. Phil Dugard true with the extras, 10-12.

After some very poor first up tackles, Thanet’s full back was able to step his way past most of the Hove XV. Further weak defence around the ruck and a cynical penalty from Phil Ward earned him a ten minute rest. The resultant penalty was kicked to the corner and the Thanet power showed, shoving the Hove 8 over their line. Conversion missed 10-17.

Hove were only saved from going further behind after the referee adjudged the final Thanet pass to be forward. Thanet did get their 4th and bonus point try not long after however through a strong run from their inside centre, albeit again through some weak Hove defence. Conversion pushed wide leaving the half time score 10-22.

Now Hove had come back from 21-5 down last week away at Dartfordians to win, so know that they can respond in situations like this, however first up tackles and securing possession at the breakdown were two areas highlighted by the disgruntled coaching staff of Robertson Senior and Junior. Will Walker was replaced by Boyd Flavell as the only change at HT.

It was Thanet however who came out of the blocks fastest and it was only some great defence by the tireless Rob Ward that kept them out. Pressure subsided however after some neat footwork by the fly-half allowed him to dot down five metres in from touch and he added the extras with a lovely strike. 10-29

Hove then took the game by the scruff of the neck; sustained possession in the midfield brought 3 penalties with the final one forcing the referee to bring out his yellow card. An injury to Kip Wallace forced a reshuffle. Martin Macdonald was pushed in as a makeshift 6 and Ryan Morlen came into the centres. The penalty was kicked to touch and after Buckland rose highest, the Hove 8 gave Thanet some of their own medicine and mauled them over their line. Carl Buckland was the last body up for his first meat pie of the season. Phil Dugard pushing the conversion just wide 5 metres in from touch. 15-29

Hove’s next score came shortly after, a scrum in midfield was sent out to Sam Whiting who drew the winger and fed Guy Patton. Some audacious footwork completely wrong-footed the full back and he went for a great score. Conversion fell short and Hove trailed 20-29.

At this point Hove smelt blood and could see the Thanet side tiring. Hove were going from everywhere on the field, a lovely break from Boyd Flavell in his own 22 saw him find Ryan Morlen on his shoulder. He brushed off the flailing last tackle and went under the sticks for Hove’s fourth. Phil Dugard with the easiest of conversions 27-29

Still with 8 minutes left on the clock Hove pushed for the decisive score. A strong run from Ryan Bhimji down the right flank and neat interchanging by Ian Saunders and Alex Maguire down the left brought yards but no score.
The decisive moment came from a lovely in and out break from Ryan Morlen. After beating three defenders he chipped ahead for Guy Patton to chase. A mix up between two Thanet players allowed Guy to pounce and score under the sticks to the despair of the Thanet players. Conversion again true 34-29. Hove then closed the game out allowing Rob Biggs to kick the ball into touch.

After a very below par first half performance, Hove showed true grit and determination to peg their opponents back and win the game. However with the Sussex Cup semi-final in a fortnight Hove know that they cannot afford to start as slowly as they have done in previous weeks if they want to come away with a positive result.

Hove therefore finish the league in 7th having won 5 of their last 6 games, their only loss coming against run away league leaders Tunbridge Wells. As mentioned Hove entertain Heathfield in the Sussex Cup semi-final, with the potential of the final a fortnight after.
Hove: Maguire, P. Ward, Shergold, Buckland (1), William, Newton, R. Ward, Robinson, Biggs, Dugard(1 pen, 3 con), Patton (2), MacDonald, Bhimji, Walker (1), Whiting (c) Subs. Wallace, Flavell, Morlen (1).