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Match Report: Hastings & Bexhill RFC Saturday 14th April 2007  As temperatures soared on the south coast, there was a distinctly holiday feel at the Hastings & Bexhill RFC ground, with players and spectators embracing summer in advance.
Bathed in bright sunshine, the game began at a frenetic pace, the home side started with purpose, strong forward drives laying the platform for an early try to the delight of the large partisan crowd. The Hastings pack continued to dominate the early exchanges and it was only determined tackling from an unfamiliar Lions back line that prevented further scores. Baz Tudge deputising at Wing with guest players Stuart Gow and James Clarke at scrum half & outside centre respectively pulling off a series of tremendous tackles to keep Hastings out.
A loose clearance kick from the Hastings wing, which fell to Rich Alexander, led to the first meaningful Lions attack however it was a further 20 minutes before Lions crossed the line for a score. Razor, later named man-of-the-match, produced a neat break leading a forwards drive to the line releasing Andy Winsland (a late replacement for Lee Powell at No. 8) to bulldoze his way over for a try with Dan Quelch landing the conversion from under the posts to put Lions ahead. The advantage was short lived as Hastings edged ahead through a try delivered by a drive from the pack, which was duly converted giving the home side a 12-7 half time lead. The referee ended the half shortly afterwards.
As the second half got underway Lions upped their game and began to dominate the set scrum, Sharpy, Skidders & Wayne began disrupting their opposite numbers in the front row taking valueable ball against the head. With Earnshaw & Hall delivering the power the scrum became the platform for innumerable attacks.
Pressure eventually told and a trademark break from Togga led to the equalising score, his looped pass found his captain, Nango, whose lightning acceleration took him away from the defence for a dazzling try. Celebrations where short lived with Dan missing the conversion and Togga leaving the pitch with a serious calf injury, at 12-12 the game was in the balance and Lions needed to reorganise.
With the talented Adam Cryer moving to stand-off and the introduction of fresh legs in the form of Rob McManus and Chris Anderson at centre & wing Lions began to take the game away from Hastings, showing some of the flair missing from their display at Melton with both forwards and backs impressing. The backs began to carry ball with power and purpose, a swift pass from scrum half Gow found centre Clarke who slipped the ball to the young stand-off in the blink of an eye to allow Adam to race down the tryline. The try was duly converted by Dan giving Lions a 7 point lead (12-19).
Hastings won and retained their fair share of possession but looked like a side desperately short of ideas, and a lack of precision in midfield saw Lions able to break through on several occasions. The final play of the game saw another delightful attack ending with Adam Cryer brushing defenders aside for his second try, converted by Dan and followed immediately by the referees whistle (12-26). Special Thanks to our hosts Hastings and Bexhill RFC for the hospitality afforded to our players, to Dave Upton, the local organiser for all his hard work and to Mrs Anita Hawkins, proprietor of All Saints House B&B for allowing us to stay at her wonderful establishment.
Our thanks also go to H&B players James Clarke, Stuart Gow, Rob McManus & Chris Anderson for their tremendous performances.
Finally thanks to our captain, Nango, for organising such an enjoyable trip, Daniel for providing a word document and all the players who made the trip especially Neil Hall, returning after a 2 year absence led the pack magnificently. | | |
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