Hastings & Bexhill II 15 Uckfield II 10

After blowing away the Christmas and New Year cobwebs at Rye last week, the second team returned to the task in hand and focussed on the top of Sussex Asahi League 2 East table.

After the snow and rain of previous weeks the 2s travelled to Uckfield and were told that they would be playing on the second pitch, with its standing water in places. 

The Hastings team, with its dominate pack, took this as Uckfield wanting to nullify any advantage the visitors had.
H&B were again able to choose a very strong team, although lost prop Paul Northen to a warm up injury. Due to the strength in depth in the 2s they were able to call on Hopkins to return to his favoured hooker position with Williams and Dawes completing the front row.

As has become usual with games at the top of the league the two teams were very evenly matched.  Uckfield took the lead with a penalty and then a try with the last play of the first half.

After some tough talking at half time, it was the visitors who took control of the game. Sanders and P. Mahoney back together in the second row allowed the back row the time to control the ball.  A. Mahoney, who is soon off to play in the under 20 Sussex team, was back to his best crossing the gain line.  Cullingford was lost to back twinge, but Sewell replacing him set about tackling every player and carrying the ball at every opportunity.  The new centre partnership of Smith and Pearce tackled hard all day and made valuable yards going forward.

The turning point of the game was Uckfield losing their play maker and captain at fly half.  From the next play Skipper Kemp-Milham made a break after a well worked move with Smith and went in under the posts.  Lee slotted the conversion.

In a fast and intense 15 minute period, Hastings attacked the home teams line and after a fine break from Smith and an inside pass to P. Mahoney another try in the corner. Lee missed the tricky conversion but soon added a well taken penalty.

Hastings continued to press with the back three of Lee, Steadman and man of the match Stevens catching and running every kick at and through the opposition.

"It was Stevens first start for the second team and to his credit he has confirmed the faith put in him" said Kemp-Milham "with a wet, muddy pitch and ball we just had so much confidence in ourselves" 

The seconds have a home fixture next week against previously top of the table Heathfield and then the semi-final of the Sussex vase at home the following week against a Crowbough side who they already beaten twice the year.