Much was expected of this meeting with highflying Hove after the previous week but the reality was disappointing. Despite the many changes, HW took to the field in a positive fashion and although under pressure, playing uphill from the kick off, competed well.

The first question asked was when Josh Mullet sustained a leg injury and David Bayly, making his debut, came on. This didn’t particularly affect the play but Hove took advantage of a quick penalty and ran through to score a converted try. HW came back and following a number of surging drives were awarded a penalty which No.9, Mike Jacques, ran quickly to score. Brother Chris at 15 and Bayly featured in some positive play but a series of wrong options saw HW concede a lineout 10 metres out which the home team ran home breaking tackles up the middle. A penalty conceded for going over the top saw HW 5-17 down and if it had stayed like that until half time HW could have still been in the game. James Cooley came on as a blood replacement and whilst HW were adjusting to the many positional changes Hove chipped over the top down the right to turn round 5-22 up.

HW, as they anticipated, had the lion’s share of the game playing down hill but were beginning to make mistakes as they forced the game. The Hove 9 sneaked a try from a rare foray into the visitors half and late on an interception gave the home side another score. HW did manage a last riposte when Chris Ambrosino and Greg Kneller worked a short lineout routine but by then it was too late.

Squad: Evans, Ambrosino, Kneller, Grimsey, Hunter, Silver, MacNey, Nise, Jacques M, Riley, Austen-White, Willis, Mullet, Warren, Jacques C, Cooley J, Bayly