Hove seen off by Old Colfs

Hove started the day in a rut of bad form, and faced a hefty task to beat Old Colfeians, a team they have not beaten for a number of years. Hove knew how Old Colfeians would play, and whilst Hove played well in some areas, they played themselves into OCs hands with 17 penalties given away over the course of 80 minutes.
Hove kicked off the match, and immediately gained territory in OC’s 22. At Dover last week, Hove had struggled to hold onto their own ball, but with a few tweaks in the mid-week, were showing vast improvement. Hove made the most of this good start and dotted down, with a well worked team try, with Carles Casanova Gallindo going under the posts, after great play from young gun Elliot Curl. Carles then duly added the extras himself.
After this bright start Old Colfeians got a foothold in the game, with their powerful forwards sucking in defenders, to earn their pacey back line space out wide to attack. Initially, Hove’s defence did well, but then ill-discipline began to creep in, and the penalties started to come. Old Colfeians used the penalties to pin Hove deep into their own territory, even with a strong prevailing wind going against OC’s favour. Old Colfeians capitalised, and scored three quick tries on the bounce, only converting one, to make it 17-7 to the visitors, with 2 minutes left of the second half.
Hove, appearing disheartened, took on advice from their coach, and began to press harder in defence. A hard press immediately paid dividends, with Phil Dugard intercepting a wayward Old Colfeians pass on Hove’s 10m line. Phil showed the speed he is known for, to run the 60m required to place the ball down under the posts. This proved to be the last play of the half, with scores at 14-17.
Unfortunately, for Hove, the second half went much the same way a the first, Hove started well, but started to give away more and more needless penalties. Old Colfeians, now with the wind behind them pinned Hove back, using their powerful pack to punch holes in Hove’s defence. They scored two more tries, and a penalty, seeing out the game comfortably 14-30.
Although Old Colfeians deserved the victory, Hove will be disappointed with their performance. Hove’s attacking game, and ball retention was much improved, but ill-discipline cost them in the end.