Hove v Old Alleynians (H)

Hove vs. Old Alleynians (H)

After the spite of cold weather had postponed the away fixture against Crowborough the previous two weekends, Hove were only playing their second fixture of 2017. Having not given a good account of themselves in the reverse fixture, Hove were eager to make amends.

OA’s kicked off and with it won an early penalty which was knocked over for the first points of the afternoon. Hove eventually got into their patterns and after strong carries from Declan Peake and Pat Andrews OA’s were eventually drawn in. The ball was moved wide to Sam Whiting who found Carles Casanova Galindo in support who in turn found Rob Biggs. He made a half break and found the supporting Sam Whiting who went in at the corner for Hove’s first points of the afternoon. Galindo just off target with the extras: 5-3.

OA’s are probably the only other team in the league who like to move the ball as wide as Hove and after some sloppy first up tackling from home side, they broke in the wider channels and had enough men in support to go in at the corner. Conversion successful; 5-10.
With both teams more focussed on attacking rather than defending it was Hove who retook the lead as Phil Dugard ran a lovely short line of Galindo and dotted down in the corner. Galindo’s touch line conversion was true to give Hove a 12-10 lead.

Hove continued to attack from deep and after Sam Whiting countered from deep after a long kick, he found the supporting Ian Saunders who didn’t quite have enough toe and was bundled into touch. Hove’s third try of the afternoon did follow however as after a penalty was kicked to the corner, the Hove 8 went to work on their opposite numbers and after gaining the necessary momentum, Rob Ward was on hand to dive over. Galindo again on target with the extras; 19-10.

This attack versus attack ping pong match continued as again poor tackling in Hove’s midfield allowed an easy run in for the OA’s 13 under the sticks which was converted 19-17. Cam Robertson won a great turnover inside Hove’s 22 to prevent OA’s scoring again. A Galindo penalty and a further OA’s try brought a close to the first half’s proceedings with the teams locked at 22 apiece.

The chat with the coaches at half time was that the attacked was fluent and Hove were always looking dangerous with ball in hand, however the tackle completion rate was not good enough.
It was Hove who got out the blocks the fastest as they continued to make good ground in the tight. The pod system was also fruitful attacking the weak shoulders of the tight defenders. Ian Saunders and Pat Andrews combined to set the big man away up the middle of the field and after some quick pick and go’s from Rob Ward and Declan Peake, the hooker managed to burrow over the line. Unfortunately the referee adjudged the ball to have been knocked on in the act of grounding, much to Hove’s despair!

Hove did manage to come away with points from their good field position as Phil Dugard again ran a neat line. Galindo was unsuccessful this time and this took Hove out to a 27-22 lead.

Back came OA’s with two quick tries, the first again after some poor Hove tackling and the next after good quick recycled ball was moved to their winger to go in at the corner. Both shots at goal were converted 27-36.

Hove as they have shown all season are not a team to lie down. A good break from Rob Ward unfortunately came to nothing and the upper hand the Hove eight had in the scrum didn’t muster any points. The breakthrough came after Sam Whiting managed to get his arms free in the tackle and offload to the supporting Galindo who showed enough pace to round the covering full back and go under the sticks. He converted his own try; 34-36.

With OA’s holding onto their lead and looking to keep the ball tight, Rob Ward won a great turnover to set Hove on their way. Hove did eventually get the space they needed through Phil Dugard down the left who had speedster Bryn Garrish in support, however play was pulled pack after Rob Biggs had shown his frustration to the referee about being taken without the ball.

With the clock winding down, OA’s kept the ball tight and eventually kicked it into touch. A disappointing home loss for Hove who certainly had the chances to win the game, but credit to OA’s.

Hove hopefully travel to Crowborough at the third time of asking this weekend looking to get their first win of 2017.

Man of the Match: Declan Peake

Hove: Wallace, Andrews, Shergold , Saunders, Buckland, Knott, Peake, Ward, Robertson, Galindo, Biggs, Dugard, Macdonald, Garrish, Whiting © Subs: Silcocks, Phillips and Lemahaute.