Hastings & Bexhill 3 Tunbridge Wells 25

Having only played 1 game in 8 weeks the trip to 2nd top Tunbridge Wwells was never going to be a repeat of the 53-17 score line to Hastings earlier in the season.

Hastings lost the influential figures of Ben Arnold and Robbie Simmons to the 2nd team but Berwick Smith and Matt Pierce stepped down a team to help the 3rds out.

Due to the bad weather in Tunbridge Wells recently the game had to be played on the practice pitch which resembled a farmyard, and smelt very similar.

Despite the lack of match practice Hastings started brightly and spent the first 10 minutes camped in the home teams 22 but without really threatening the try line.

From the first incursion into Hastings territory a well worked move in the backs resulted in their winger running in for a score in the corner. Hastings regrouped straight away and moved up the field and induced a penalty wide out right which Peter Eames narrowly missed.

Despite having 70% of the possession Hastings either could not get through the stout Wells defence, or when they did get within scoring range gave away numerous penalties, although it has to be said that the ref’s interpretation of some of the basic rules was strange.

Wells second try came against the run of play as a big gap opened up in the centre which their aggressive number 10  exploited to make the score 10-0. Just before half time Hastings conceded yet another penalty which Wells converted to make the half time score 13-0.

Hastings made some changes at half time with Andy Small replacing Brian Mcneilly and Christian Hollingsworth replacing Mickey Ellis at 10.

The second half began the same as the first with Hastings applying all the pressure. Within 5 mins Wells conceded a penalty which Eames stepped up to slot and bring the difference down to 10 points. 

Unfortunately for Andy Small, within 7 minutes of coming on he was sin binned so Hastings were reduced to 14 men.

This reduction seemed to make no difference to the run of play as Hastings continued to dominate especially at the line out where Alasdair Abercrombie-Barnett 
had an excellent game. Hasting's best chance of scoring seemed to come from the base of the scrum where no 8 Dan Hewitt and no 9 Eames continued to cause problems for the Wells defence, but despite several breaks by Eames, Hastings were unable to capitalise on their domination.

Eventually the lack of Match fitness in the Hastings team gifted 2 try’s to Wells in the last 5 mins, one of which they converted to make the final score 25-3. 

This scoreline did not reflect the run of play but failure to take advantage of scoring opportunities and the inevitable high penalty count contributed to Hastings downfall.

Luckily Hastings still remain in 3rd place with a game in hand on Wells so providing Hastings can win their remaining 5 games they will win the league.

3rd XVs shiny new kit!

Alasdair steals ball