Hove vs. Deal & Betteshandger

So after two years in the making Hove were finally able to run out on their brand new first team pitch, credit must go to everyone who has helped make this possible specifically Adam Tunesi who has been at the forefront of this project. A massive thanks goes to Uncle Sam's for sponsoring the Game and also to Jamie Angus (Pictured presenting Sam Whiting with the Match Ball) for sponsoring the Games Match ball.

Deal were to be the side to christen the pitch and last year they ran out winners in both close encounters, so Hove were going to be in for a tough afternoon.

The rain started to fall just before kick-off, which meant that handling was always going to be an issue and so it proved to be throughout. Hove kicked off through Rob Biggs and as the Deal jumper collected the ball and came back to ground, he was thumped by Morgan Griffin setting the tone and tempo Hove would look to play it. A long kick down field from the Deal 10 was gathered by Ryan Morlen, as he tried to attack from deep and offload to the supporting runner the ball went forward and lead to a Deal penalty which was gratefully accepted; Hove 0 Deal 3. Hove looked to get the ball into the wider channels as early as possible; however too many times the ball was lost in contact and momentum was lost.

Deal came back at Hove and after sustained pressure were awarded a second penalty which their fly-half slotted over; Hove 0 Deal 6. A penalty on half way was nudged into the corner by Rob Biggs. Declan Peake found Morgan Griffin at the tail of the lineout as Hove pressed for the first five points of the game, however Deal held firm. Phil Dugard pushed a penalty wide before Hove did finally cross the whitewash. Slick hands from Jack Silcocks in midfield found Morgan Griffin who in turn found Guy Patton on a great line who showed enough toe to outrun the covering full-back. Phil Dugard pushing the conversion wide; Hove 5 Deal 6.

Much of the rest of the first half was very stop start due to the number of handling errors with both the Deal 10 and Sam Whiting missing penalty attempts to extend their sides score.

The second half started with a great restart take from Tom Mohan and it was left to Rob Biggs to clear Hove’s lines. In the wet conditions it was clear that a strong kicking game was going to be important and Hove’s kicking trio of Biggs, Dugard and Whiting constantly plugged the corners. A long range Sam Whiting penalty was true to bring Hove in front for the first time in the game Hove 8 Deal 6.

A long kick from the Deal 10 found Sam Whiting who shifted the ball across the pitch to Phil Dugard who in turn moved the ball to the Tom Lemahaute. As he attacked the oncoming defence, a deft grubber held up just short of the Deal line. After Hove flooded the ruck the ball popped out for Ryan Morlen to provide the downward pressure. Sam Whiting missing the touchline conversion and Hove now had a bit of a cushion; Hove 13 Deal 6.

With the Hove set piece looking strong, it was Hove who looked like extending their points tally and this was soon to be the case. Peake found Kyle Woollard at the lineout and the Hove 8 rumbled on towards the Deal whitewash only to be turned over a meter out. As Deal looked to settle things down and clear their lines, Declan Peake used his knowledge of the rugby laws to identify that there is no offside line at a ruck over the opposition’s try line and came round the side to dive on the ball and claim another Hove five pointer. Rob Biggs this time pushing the conversion wide; Hove 18 Deal 6.

With time all but up, Hove pressed on for a bonus point fourth try despite knowing that a Deal try would give them a losing bonus point. Backs and forwards combined well in the wet conditions as Luke Torres attacked down the left. He found the supporting Will Walker who beat the first defender before losing the ball in contact.

As the final whistle blew, Hove were delighted to start their league campaign with a win. Even in the wet conditions it was clear to see that Hove will benefit from a bigger home pitch having been playing on a ‘postage stamp’ for the past two seasons.
Man of the Match: Jack Silcocks who was a thorn in the Deal side all afternoon. Credit to Rob Biggs as well for his kicking game who constantly turned Deal and pinned them back in their own half.

Hove: Maguire, Peake, Wallace, Buckland, Woollard, Ward, Silcoks, Griffin, Biggs, Dugard, Walker, Patton, Morlen, Garrish, Whiting © Subs: Torres, Mohan, Lemehaute