Hove edged out by Powerful Old Colfeians side

Hove visited the home of Old Colfeians this past weekend, in full knowledge of the tough test that laid ahead of them. Hove arrived with a hot streak of wins behind them, and last weeks dominant performance had them full of confidence. However, Colfs were buoyed by a similar hot streak, which meant even the most far-seeing of supporters could not predict who would come out on top.
Straight from the kick off the match was electric, Old Colfs recovered the ball well from Phil Dugard’s high kick, Old Colf’s 9 darted from the back of the resulting ruck, and the London side were in the ascendancy. Hove then held out Old Colf’s for upwards of 20 phases, before the O.C. eventually found a gap, 7-0 to Old Colfs.
Hove, clearly inspired by OC’s fast start, then when straight up the other end, from the kick off, and the ever-reliable Sambo fed Alex Parker who dotted down in the corner, conversion missed, 7-5. From the kick off Dugs cleared well to touch, Ian Saunders then turned over the Old Colf’s line out, and from the resulting play Hove were awarded a scrum on halfway.
Martin Macdonald on a hot streak of his own, 4 games without a catch, picked up from the back of the scrum and made good yards. Rob Ward and Declan Peake then carried hard, then the ball was shipped wide to Guy Patton, who chipped the last defender and dotted down in the corner. Parker, who must have been fuelled by his Friday night meal of a pizza and pie burrito (the pizza is the wrap,) added the extras. 12-7 to Hove.
In the heat of battle, the old sage Carl Buckland dislocated his finger, a small hush went across the park, as Carl’s Laser Quest party looked in peril. The hush was soon replaced by grimaces as he popped his trigger finger back into position, nothing stops that man from darkened rooms, laser light shows and bass heavy music.
Colfs then responded with two quick fire tries and went into the break 21-12. Old Colf’s strong runners had begun to do the damage, but Hove have come back from much worse.
Hove started the half well, with an early penalty, to reduce the deficit to 6 points. The O.C. then gained territory deep in Hove’s half, and after several team infringements for off side, Rob Ward was shown a yellow card. Colf’s elected for the scrum, which had been a weapon all day for them, Hove held out the first scrum, but couldn’t hold out the second, and were driven over for the try. Converted. 28-15.
Colfs got another penalty for another offside. Kick successful. Old Colfs kicker was fantastic all game, slotting from just inside Hove’s half, 31-15. Hove immediately responded with a lovely finish from international superstar Rene Pavlides, that makes it 8 tries in 3 games. Conversion was unsuccessful 28-20.
Old Colfs scored again, with a quick breakaway try after good Hove possession, unsurprisingly the O.C. kicker slotted the extras and the score stood at 38-20. The ever-positive Guy Patton then scored one in the corner, after Ash Parker barrelled through 3 or 4 OC tackles, to give Hove the bonus point and some hope on 72’ and the scores stood at 38-25.
In the last play of the game Ian Saunders, produced magic hands to eventually feed Rene Pavlides who looked certain to score, however “due to the light” he dropped the ball from a strange ricochet, the O.C. recovered the ball and finished the game.
Full Time. Old Colfs come away with the win 38-25. Credit to the home side who played a solid game and with powerful runners and faultless kicking game. Bring on the return fixture in 2020.