VIGO 13 HASTINGS & BEXHILL 10

UNUSUAL for a low-scoring game to be a stirring spectacle; unusual too for a losing performance to be a cause for a measure of satisfaction.

But H&B’s visit to one of the form teams in Kent One - while missing a settled back row combination - had looked suspiciously like a loaded banana skin. In the event it turned out to be a fiercely contested end-to-end battle, which either side might have won, and in which H&B improved on several previous shortcomings. Not least of these were a greatly reduced penalty count, and correspondingly increased controlled aggression at the breakdown.

While both sides were guilty of a few unforced errors, their respective attacking moves were more often snuffed out by hugely committed tackling. Turnovers were hard-won, and provided both sides with their most promising attacking platforms.

Vigo’s well-organised stall was laid out from the start: A big pack, with battering rams at 8 and 4, searching kicks in attack, and very quick wings to chase them up. H&B, though missing experienced back rowers Steve McManus and Dan Hewitt, looked to generate enough possession to play their burgeoning off-loading game.

The first 10 minutes of play set the tone for the game, both sides working hard for dominance. Defences were more than solid, they were assertive, tacklers looking to drive ball-carriers backwards or dispossess them.

H&B looked at first to be under the cosh in the set scrum, but quickly stabilised themselves. In the loose the pack looked revitalised, quicker to the ball and technically sharper than of late. The backline were playing good rugby too, drawing the defence by taking the ball up the middle, then moving the ball quickly wide. The back three were dealing comfortably with Vigo’s long attacking kicks.

Vigo were having marginally the better of an even contest. An offside penalty reflected that, allowing Vigo to take a 3-0 lead with a well-struck kick in the first quarter, and the hosts then enjoyed a period of possession. But H&B’s defensive pressure confined them to the middle third of the pitch, massive hits not only by the usual suspects but also from Tom Waring (a spectacular effort), the effective centre partnership of Ash Diedericks and Dillon Newell, and the hard-working front row, Tom Spatchurst, Joe Umpleby and Tony Roche, who had their best collective game so far.

Vigo’s big 8, a potent strike weapon, was excellently marshalled, rarely allowed to make an impact. Rod Luff, back from injury, Jimmy Adams and Mark Piotrowski all skillfully turned over lineouts. The home side’s wings were also cut down by their opposite numbers before they could pose a real threat.

As a result of H&B’s competitiveness on all fronts, Vigo’s early confidence in their superiority showed signs of faltering.

Although both sides threatened to break through, halftime arrived with a long penalty separating them.

The second half began with an H&B attack and a penalty opportunity under the posts, which was missed.

Vigo then launched a determined assault on their visitors, but were dispossessed in the tackle. The close to-and-fro nature of the game continued, until Adams burst through Vigo’s pack, and good handling and driving earned H&B a tricky penalty wide out on the 22, well-taken by skipper Paul Sandeman to level the score.

It was beginning to look (wrongly as it turned out) as though H&B might have a fitness edge over Vigo, and when Diedericks intercepted a pass to run in under the posts hopes were raised, but he was ruled offside, and this was quickly followed by Vigo’s wing getting a clear run for the first time, good tackling halting him but conceding a penalty in H&B’s 22, converted to restore Vigo’s lead 6-3.

With a quarter of the game left, H&B missed another - impossibly long - penalty, and got close to Vigo’s tryline but were repulsed.

Vigo then crossed H&B’s line, but their flying wing, well tackled by Ben Campbell, had put a foot in touch.

A newly fired-up Vigo launched their most determined attack of the game, but H&B’s defence remained impressive. Piers Claughton nicked Vigo’s scrum ball and Adams made another strong break, then a couple of penalties let Vigo move the ball well through hands, their inside centre cutting a good line, for once wrong-footing his tackler, and touching down under the posts, 13-3.

With five minutes to go, H&B lifted their game again and tore into Vigo.

From an H&B lineout, the ball was moved well down the line, Matt Harboard made ground then cleverly cut back in field to set up a ruck. Forwards made sure the ball came back, Piers Claughton slipped the ball blind to Campbell, who tore under the posts, converted by Sandeman, to close the score to 13-10.

With a losing bonus point, but hungry for more, H&B made every effort to add to their score in the final minutes of the game, but Vigo kept their composure, and their strong defence held firm, for a narrow, hard-won victory.

"We felt we let ourselves down a bit in our last away game,” said backs coach Kit Claughton. “We allowed ourselves to get bullied and we didn't attempt to play our game.

“This time around we gave it a real crack, and came up narrowly short against a team that will be title contenders.

“We need to continue to train hard, and perhaps retain ball better, we know every game will be a physical battle and there aren't any easy teams in this league.

“The team spirit is good and there is a determination in the squad to improve every week."

H&B: Roche, Umpleby, Spatchurst, Luff (A Mahoney), Adams, Sandeman, R McManus (Jarvis) Piotrowski, P Claughton, K Claughton, Harbord, Diedericks, Newell, Campbell, Waring (Steadman).

Report by RussC