Hastings & Bexhill Under 14s 48  Tonbridge Juddians Under 14s III 0

Kent champions, Tonbridge Juddians, visited with their development squad and, with their excellent standard of rugby, even with a third team, a good contest was expected. H&B, on an upward performance curve, despite some heavy losses to nil, were hoping to control the ball and play with greater urgency.
 
As the game developed, H&B emerged as the dominant force. The forwards scrimmaged well, with stand in prop Jo Csobonas, and carried well in open play, particularly through Charlie Wells. The ball was moved fluently through the backs, who engaged their opposition, passing out of tackles and creating overlaps.
 
H&B opened the scoring within ten minutes. Number 8, James Burton, making an extra man on the wing and diving over at the corner.  Shortly afterwards centre, Robbie Miekle evaded his tackler and ran in under the posts making for an easy conversion from Max McKeown. Tonbridge were defending stoutly, though too often in their own 22, but failed to stop hooker, Laurence Maynard, from powering over for another converted try. Despite failing to ground two further try attempts, H&B finished the first half with a first try for wing, Thatchai Cramp, who finished off a slick backs move.
 
With H&B growing steadily in confidence, the second half followed a similar pattern. Whilst the Tonbridge forwards were very competitive at the ruck and held their own at scrums and line-outs, open play was controlled by the home team, who were tackling reasonably well throughout. When Tonbridge cleared their lines with a kick, full-back and man of the match, Jack Dixon ran it straight back with great speed and determination. Just as scrum half Will Edwards had distributed well in the first half, so did Dan Evans in the second, soon setting up a move which rewarded winger Russell Reid’s endeavours with a try.
 
Fly-half, Max McKeown was playing with considerable poise as the half progressed and started to use his boot to exploit space behind the Tonbridge backs, diving on his own kick through for an excellent score. He added seven further points, as he converted his own try under the posts following another strong running move. A further converted try from Robbie Meikle rounded off an enjoyable victory, made possible by strong performances throughout the team. Jack Mather at open-side and Adam Baker at centre played particularly vital roles in pressurising the opposition and
gaining possession for the team.
 
Tonbridge finished the match in H&B’s five metres but couldn’t get over the line thanks to determined defence. They remained competitive throughout, held up two potential tries and left the field with their dignity in tact. Reminiscent of H&B last season. H&B will be looking forward to carrying this form into their first league match at Uckfield in two weeks.