Hastings & Bexhill II 27 Cinque Ports 7

Hastings and Bexhill 2nd XV attempted to start off against local rivals Cinque Ports as they had left their win at Crowborough the previous Saturday.
 
H&B pressured the Cinque Ports line but lack of clean line out ball from the forwards, despite the return of 1st XV second row Rod Luff after injury, and numerous turnovers in the tackle led to a frustrating first quarter of the game.
 
Loose play led to a counter attack by Cinque Ports and a try by ex H&B player Murray Wittingham, successfully converted, saw H&B 0 - 7 down.

This spurred the H&B forwards on and they applied pressure with H&B man of the match, loose head prop Jacob McDonough, after a number of forward drives being held up in the corner.

Just before half time another forward drive from the line out resulted in a try by Nick Edmunds, converted by Percy Fitzgerald, saw Hastings on level terms again at 7-7.
 
Shortly after the score H&B unfortunately lost winger Will Owen with a shoulder injury and student James Morris came on at full back with impressive youngster Calvin Crosby-Clarke moving to the wing.

At half time coach Gary Walsh made changes to the pack aiming to improve line out possession. Last years skipper Andy Sanders replaced Mike Clifford and Luke Aukland replaced Nick Edmunds at flanker to add pace to the back row.

These moves resulted in a more mobile unit with H&B taking the game to a tiring Cinque Ports side who losing players through injury saw Pete Mahoney drive over for a try with Percy Fitzgerald converting.
 
The last 20 minutes saw H&B take control with a try by Rod Luff and a further try by skipper Pete Mahoney securing a hard fought 27 - 7 win.

Coach Gary Walsh said "We should not underestimate any of the teams in this league and we must be continue to play our own game. Next week H&B take on Uckfield at home and the players will need to work hard this week in training to secure another win"