Hove vs. Horsham

Hove vs. Horsham (H)

Hove faced Horsham, a team who beat them three times last season including the final of the Sussex Cup. Confidence was high after a good preseason campaign and last week’s win against Deal.

Horsham kicked off with the breeze behind their backs and the ball was fumbled by Hove to give Horsham good field position inside Hove territory. Hove held firm until giving a penalty away at the breakdown in which the Horsham 10 dragged wide.

Hove then got their foot into the game, Ryan Morlen making one of his trademark outside breaks broke through the defence who found Sam Whiting on his shoulder. He was dragged down 2m out and the ball was deemed unplayable. From the resultant scrum a Hove backline move found Bryn Garrish who showed some lovely footwork to beat two players on the way to diving over just to the right of the uprights. Phil Dugard adding the extras and Hove led 7-0.

Hove again were finding gaps in the wider channels through Guy Patton and Ryan Morlen. A penalty to Hove was kicked to the corner, unfortunately the throw was deemed 'not straight' and Horsham were awarded a scrum. From a ruck after the resultant scrum, Ian William used all of his height to charge down the attempted clearance kick and apply the needed downward pressure to score Hove's second. Conversion missed and Hove led 12-0.

Whether it was complacency or not, Hove took their foot of the gas and allowed Horsham back into the game. Needless penalties at the breakdown allowed Horsham to use the breeze and kick deep into Hove territory. Hove defence held firm until their big second row crashed over from a couple of yards out. Conversion successful; Hove 12 Horsham 7.

From the restart, Rob Biggs got just enough height for Sam Whiting to catch it on the full only for the ball to be knocked from his hands as he landed.

This lifted Horsham and back they came. Another penalty conceded by Hove was put into the corner. With the driving mall set up, Jack Silcocks was harshly judged to have come in from the side and was given a ten minute rest. The penalty was again kicked to the corner and the Horsham eight went over. Conversion again successful and Hove trailed at the break 12-14.

Horsham began the second half keeping the ball in the tight. Resolute defence however from the Hove forwards kept Horsham at bay. Phil Dugard pushed a penalty attempt just right as Hove looked to regain the lead.

As Horsham began to slow the tempo of the game down, they used their forwards to pick and go around the fringes. As the ball was moved wider, some weak Hove defence allowed the Horsham 8 to stroll in just to the right of the sticks, Conversion successful and Hove trailed 12-21. Horsham also added a penalty soon after to extend their lead to 12 points; 12-24.

Back came Hove with the backs again finding space in the wider channels through Will Walker. Strong forward carries from Morgan Griffin and Declan Peake sucked enough Horsham players in for Will Walker to pop up on his opposite wing to score. Conversion just wide and Hove trailed by seven; 17-24
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As time was running out, Hove looked to attack from anywhere and at times forced it which led to errors allowing Horsham to slow the game down. A Horsham penalty drifted wide and after Hove tried to attack from behind their own try line, the ball was turned over. Horsham searched for the all-important bonus point fourth try; however the final whistle beat them to it.
It’s now four losses on the bounce for Hove against Horsham in all competitions.

Hove travel to early league leaders Medway next week, no doubt expecting a strong physical challenge.

Man of the Match went to Alex Maguire.

Hove: Maguire, Peake, Wallace, William, Woollard, Torres, Silcocks, Griffin, Biggs, Dugard, Walker, Patton, Morlen, Garrish, Whiting © Subs: Ward, Mohan, Macdonald