HASTINGS & BEXHILL 39  VIGO 17

H&B gathered the best bits from all the season’s previous performances and wove them into an effective and entertaining exhibition of 15 man rugby on Saturday, in the process blowing away arguably the most dangerous side in the league, who had only lost twice this season, by two points and one point.

From the kick-off in the sunshine and wind of William Parker, both sides set out their stalls: short balls and pick-and-drives followed by quick hands across the pitch in attack from H&B; whip it out wide at every opportunity from Vigo; big probing kicks in defence, countered by assured catches and counter-attacks from both sides.

It was H&B’s tireless big hits and scrambling defence that swung the game their way, gradually taming Vigo’s normally rampant backline into uncharacteristic turnovers and misjudgments.

What made this performance different was that H&B were suddenly playing with passion as a 15 man team. The pack, which has shown promise as a unit in patches all season, produced a prodigious performance in the loose, disciplined and controlled, and coped cleverly with being pushed around in the set piece, Steve McManus an irresistible force off the back of the scrum, like fast-moving lava.

H&B opened the scoring with a sparkling try that showed just how subtle H&B’s handling can be: a half-break from Kit Claughton, slick interplay between Ben Campbell and Ash Diedericks, followed by a dynamic ruck, ending with Dillon Newell beating the defence to score under the posts. Skipper Paul Sandeman converted for a 7-0 lead.

The game’s intensity continued, both sides ambitious, but H&B looking more clinical. A beautifully timed short ball to Mark Piotrowski took the latter powering through the midfield on the first of several battering runs; faultless handling and great running lines, interspersed with dynamic rucking, saw H&B’s pack drive over the line, Tony Roche adjudged held up.

A pattern emerged: fine handling and great work in the loose would take H&B’s attack deep into Vigo’s 22, only for a final error to turn the ball over for a scrum or penalty.

More good work by forwards and backs ended with Ben Campbell held up over the tryline; from there a scrambled Vigo kick was followed by a textbook H&B catch and drive over the line, Sandeman emerging with the ball, 12-0.

Vigo’s flyhalf was now off injured, which didn’t help their composure, and though they were creatively varying their attacking options when they had possession, H&B were driving them back in the tackle, disrupting their momentum.

Another McManus break off a scrum was carried down the touchline by Sandeman, lightning hands by the supporting Piers Claughton to Piotrowski seeing the latter in for a third try, again unconverted, for a 17-0 lead.

H&B’s restart catching was faultless, but a subsequent turnover led to a penalty and a swift assault on H&B’s 22. Another penalty for an attempted interception, and Vigo showed a glimpse of their true colours, with quick hands seeing their wing for once outstrip slow-reacting defensive cover for an unconverted try in the corner, with five minutes of the half remaining.

The half ended with an exchange of long kicks, knock-ons, and Vigo with a rare visit to H&B’s red zone.

Vigo came out for the second half fired up for a revival, and running the ball at H&B, whose defence again proved hungry for the task. A great catch and drive from their lineout saw H&B forwards pick-and-drive with precision to 10 metres out. The ball was then released for another copybook move down the backline, for Campbell to finish powerfully in the corner, 22-5.

Vigo’s season has proved their mettle, and sure enough they continued to probe H&B’s defence with strong - but increasingly desperate, and hence slightly rushed - attacks. H&B held strong, but found themselves defending a string of assaults on their tryline. If H&B were going to repeat their Shooters Hill collapse, this was the moment. But they held firm, their pack as strong and assertive as ever in the contact area, and Vigo simply could not break through to change the game.

Then the referee, who had been firm at breakdowns all game, carded McManus in front of the posts for side entry. H&B rose to the challenge, mounting a fantastic 15 man defence, highlighted by Piers Claughton’s full pelt try-line tackle on Vigo’s wing, aided by Rod Luff in close support.

Elliot Simmons, now on as blind side flanker, saved another potential try, hauling down Vigo’s fullback in full flight. Sandeman then dispossessed Vigo’s scrumhalf at their scrum five. Finally, Vigo’s extra man and utter determination told, and they drove over unstoppably to close the score to 22-10.

Vigo knocked on the restart, and H&B mauled the ball from their 22 to the five metre line - only to return briefly to their bad old ways, taking it too far and turning over possession.

A Sandeman gallop down the touchline ended with a try for Jimmy Adams, his third in two games, unconverted for a 27-10 lead - now beginning to look unassailable.

Vigo had other ideas, and aided by H&B’s first bungled restart of the afternoon, found themselves with an attacking lineout 10 metres out. H&B’s defensive organisation looked up to the challenge, but Vigo produced some of their best handling interplay of the game, and finally worked a gap, which they exploited with a well-converted try to bring them within 10 points.

But H&B upped their game in response, a series of clinical pick-and-drives, and clever backs play, almost taking Simmons in at the corner. Adams drove close to the line, Sandeman drove over but was held up, and it was McManus - fresh after his 10 minutes rest - who finally sewed up the game with a pick and drive over from a scrum, Sandeman’s conversion taking the score to 34-17.

The game wound down with both sides still attacking each other with great pace and intensity.

H&B capped their afternoon with another training ground move: a powerful driving maul, neatly released, and wide down the line for Campbell to race in for his second, 39-17.

“It was one of our best performances of the season, we defended well and attacked with power,” said backs coach Kit Claughton.

“We are developing into a good team, who understand what we are trying to achieve and how to win games, we didn't panic when we went down to 14 and knew if we could hold out we probably break them.

“Next week will be massive, and very difficult; in my opinion Gillingham were the best team we played against in the first half of the season, and they weren't at full strength.

“If we play like we did today for the rest of all season, we'll be a difficult team to beat, the secret for the coaches and players is learning to play like that week in week out.”

H&B: Roche, Umpleby, Ward, Adams, Luff (Redman), Piotrowski (E Simmons), Sandeman, McManus, P Claughton, K Claughton, Harbord, Diedericks, Newell, Campbell, Waring. Sub not used: Lee.

* Kuriosity Korner: The two subs used were the oldest player to appear for the 1st XV this season, former captain Neil Redman (46) and the youngest, Elliot Simmons (17), elder son of the legendary Robbie. Both made their mark on the game.

Report by RussC