Hove ‘Dealt bad hand’ in first league game of 2020

Hove started the new year with a heavy loss to Farnham in the Intermediate cup but with a number of returning players back from Skiing, holidays and injuries, Hove were hoping to bounce back solidly but unfortunately missed several opportunities to win the game.
The game started with a stiff breeze blowing across the pitch, Hove kicked deep and forced Deal to make a short exit. Immediately Hove’s dangerous full back, Harry Nelson found space down the right and kicked through, the pressure was on Deal almost immediately. For the next 20 minutes it turned into somewhat of a slog fest, error after error and scrum after scrum (something only Rhino Storer dreams about) made it become a dreary spectacle for the Hove faithful. Despite strong carries by Declan Peake and Tyler Rae Yeeeeeee haaaaa Hooper, Hove could not cross the white wash. Whilst scrum half Jerome Pye was being a menace at every breakdown by pretending to play in his desired role of flanker, the simple fact was Hove were just not accurate enough or quick enough to get into positions to score. It wasn’t until the 33rd minute when Hove finally broke the deadlock, Co Captain Phil Dugard, slotted a difficult penalty maintaining his kicking stats at 100% this season. Hove 3 Deal 0.
Suddenly at 35 minutes Deal decided to show up and put some phases together, with the help Hove’s indiscipline they were camped on Hove’s try line. Hove were now on the wrong side of the referee (who was being assessed), despite Rob Ward and Martin MacDonald both gaining valid turn overs, Hove were penalised each time. Deal, after a number of ‘tactical water breaks’ (in what was described as shooting ducks by the crowd) finally decided to opt for the posts. Half time Hove 3 Deal 3. What a thriller…
The second half brought some much needed energy into the game, Deal managed to get an early penalty which edged them ahead, Hove 3 Deal 6. This seemed to galvanise Hove, after Deal exited from a set piece, MacDonald carried up field and Pye fed it wide to Dugard. Hove advanced up the pitch stretching the Deal defence who were praying for a break in play to get another tactical rest. The resulting play saw Harry Nelson break again down the right but he misjudged his support and threw the ball too far behind him, Deal took advantage of this and their 10 scooped the ball up and ran the length of the pitch to score, conversion unsuccessful. Hove 3 Deal 11.
Hove, frustrated that nothing seemed to be going their way. Launched another attack from the half line, some great carries in midfield by Ben Anderson and Ash Parker saw space appear on right side, the ball was fide wide to Giles Emmerson (who was returning from 4 months out), using his secret weapon, Giles leaped through the Deal defence and scored a well-deserved try. Unfortunately, Phil Dugard wasn’t able to add the extras. Hove 8 Deal 11.
Deal restarted the game and with the swirling wind, Ben Stephens misjudged the ball which was picked up by MacDonald in an off side position. MacDonald was then adjudged to have thrown the ball away and the referee subsequently gave a penalty on Hove’s 5 metre line. Deal opted for a scrum, they then fed the ball blind and managed to score in the corner, conversion unsuccessful. Hove 8 Deal 16.
It was quite obvious that Hove were not going to get anything out the game unless their discipline improved, around the 60 minute mark, a succession of penalties against Deal allowed Hove to create a number of opportunities on Deal’s try line. Despite Declan Peake and Jerome Pye both being held up, Hove simply couldn’t convert the pressure. In fairness to Deal, the defended like their lives depended on it. For the next 15 minutes Hove dominate possession and territory but couldn’t convert, The Joe Burrowes, fresh from a number of edgy holidays, made some great carries down his wing but the work was undone by sloppy handling. Deal eventually managed to clear possession and a drop ball by Nelson allowed Deal a scrum in Hove’s 22. Poor discipline again by Hove gave Deal a penalty which was successfully converted. Hove 8 Deal 19.
Only 4 minutes remained and Hove were determined to not give up without a fight. From the restart, Deal gave away a penalty and Hope tapped and went, some lovely handling and individual offloads from Anderson and MacDonald, allowed Lloyd Tullet to break down the right, Lloyd did superbly well to offload to the supporting Dugard who toddled over in the corner, conversion unsuccessful. Hove 13 Deal 19.
There was still time for the restart, Hove regathered and continued to play with width. A number of infringements gave Hove an advantage and they managed to reach Deal’s 22. Some questionable ruck play by Deal, was judged to have been a Hove knock on, the referee then subsequently blew for full time.
Credit to Deal for sticking it out but, Hove will be extremely disappointed, with the lion’s share of possession and territory, it was inaccuracy and awareness that lacked. On a positive note, there were a number of young players who stepped up. Jack Moore came on at 10, Toby Brown and Ben Stephens formed a new second row partnership. With 10 regular first team players still away or injured, it is clear that Hove’s youth section is still thriving.
The seconds also came away on the losing side to Seaford, with a final score of 33-15 to the hosts. Next week sees the first team away to Charlton Park and the seconds at home to Burgess Hill.