Hastings & Bexhill  17   Aylesford  Bulls   21

This eagerly awaited rematch of the two top teams in the Division proved to be one of the most physical and exciting games this season.

From the kick off Hastings set up base camp in the Bulls half but despite applying all the pressure the home team conceded the first score as the bulls broke through the Hastings back line to score in the corner, the conversion was missed. 

Despite this setback the Hastings' forwards competed well against a very large and efficient Aylesford pack, The returning Tristan Todd made some quick breaks and it was from one of these that  fellow forward Andy Dalton scored his second try in 2 games to the right of the posts. Peter Eames added the extra 2 to make the score 7-5 (see first photo).

The backs of Hastings started to put some good moves together but the flow was disrupted slightly when the irrepressible Ben Arnold, named as replacement for the 1st XV but playing for the 3rd XV, was taken by the first team midway through the first half due to injuries.
Despite this huge loss the revamped and very young threequarters raised their game and led by young fly half James Morris they started to break the gain line. From one of these moves Josh White cut inside 10 metres out to score in the left corner, unfortunately Eames missed the conversion attempt. This made the score 12-5 to Hastings.

H&B then switched the attack back to the forwards and they drove Aylesford deep into their own half, using the rolling maul (see second photo) and picking from the back of rucks. This  resulted in Brian McNeilly going over the line however it was called as held up by the referee.

Almost from the restart Aylesford scored via their big inside centre to bring the score back to a difference of 2 as they also missed the conversion.

Things got worse for Hastings as they conceded a penalty that saw Robbie Symonds sin binned. Aylesford used the 1 man advantage to great effect and scored to inch ahead 15-12.

Aylesford trying to run-out from their line, found the formable frame of captain Matt Dawes, who catching the outside centre he stripped him of the ball and then ran over a further two defenders to score in the corner and put Hastings 17-15 ahead with 10 minutes to go.

But there was another twist as no sooner had H&B got back the 15th man than they lost another and had to play the remainder of the game with 14 men. This extra man caused some problems and H&B gave away two more penalties and gifted Aylesford the game.