Hastings & Bexhill II 0 - Brighton III 5

For the first time this season the Hastings & Bexhill pitches were waterlogged and there was a real danger that the match would be called off. Some quick thinking by Brighton and an offer from Rye Rugby Club to use their pitch meant that we played a home fixture "away". In hindsight this was not a good idea!

Several forced changes to the squad due to the late change in venue were made at very short notice. Losing Granville, Cullingford and Holewell, all from the pack, before the game and vice captain/pack leader Pete Mahoney just before half time meant that there was little of the control which the second team has relied on in the games leading up to Christmas.

Brighton, with their strong well organised pack and several players they picked up from their 2nd XV, had the upper hand in the scrum, ruck and maul areas. This meant that Harboard, playing at scrum half, was rushed all day but he still managed to provide some good ball to the backs. 

The visitors scored the only try of the day in the first half, a driving effort from their number 8.

Hastings in fairness never looked like going over the try line, a chased kick from Stinson was as close as they got.

The one shining light of the day was the news that while the match was in progress second row forward Andy Sanders (who asked not to play in the match!) and his wife had their first baby, a little girl. Congratulations and best wishes of the whole of the second team squad goes out  to them.

Next weekend (January 23) the seconds visit Uckfield in a game they must win to climb onto the top of the league table.

Team: Northen, Hopkins, Dawes, Clifford, P.Mahoney, Pearce, Magidan, A.Mahoney, Harboard, Kemp-Milham, Stinson, Deiedricks, Smith, Hanny, Lee, O'Connor, Edmunds, Brewster