10th Nov 2007 - London SE4 League Hove 30 - Beccehamian 27 Hove started the game well playing down the slope and down wind. They wasted no time in drawing in the Beccs tacklers and off loading to support runners which would be the key to their quick game plan. Hove scored with just 2mins on the clock via the straight running of the Hove 12 and some poor tackling. Beccs immediately gained some territory from the pack mauling upfield, and some quick ruck ball, going through the phases Beccs sucked in the Hove defence and flanker Scott Spurgeon dived in the corner to level the scores after 5mins, 5-5, conversion missed. The next 35 minutes was perhaps the worst Beccs have played for some time. Hove’s 13 caused all sorts of problems for the Beccs defence with his speed and good sidestep. Beccs normally sound defence was more than stretched with very poor tackling and organisation. Hove scored a further 4 trys (1 converted) including two from well executed cross-field kicks aided by some fortuitous bounces and a penalty in front of the posts bringing the half time score to 30-5 in Hove’s favour. Having been on the receiving end of similar treatment by the Sussex side at their home ground during recent years Beccs had a lot of soul searching to do during half-time otherwise 50 plus points could have been on the score-sheet. Beccs were a different team after the break. Once again it stemmed from the pack who were making the hard yards from clean lineout ball and attacking round the fringes. The backrow of Chitty, Jones & Spurgeon always offering support at every breakdown. Skipper Grant Robinson & Dan Harding in the 2nd row competing for and winning the ball at the line-out creating turnovers. The front row of Stuart Hayler, Sweeting and Appleton (replaced by Nick Hayler) put pressure on Hove winning several balls against the head. Five minutes into the half Neil Paige joined the line at pace and scored in the left hand corner. Lock Dan Harding added to the score sheet with just 20 minutes left again in the same corner, well taken conversion by wing Fisher reducing the deficit to 17-30. With momentum building and Beccs sensing there was time to claw back a result which seemed a distant dream 30 minutes earlier Fisher scored a try himself with 10 minutes left, 22-30. Beccs were on a roll by this stage, with 5 mins left from their own 22 Chitty made a break from the base of the breakdown, perhaps realising 60 yards was a long way even downhill he managed to hold off the Hove tacklers and wait for support which arrived from Spurgeon. Some neat close passing between the pack gained another valuable 20 yards when Dave Matthews picked up quick ball he drew the defence to pass to wing Tom Peacock who galloped in for a try from 40 yards out, conversion missed, 27-30. Hove were relieved to hear the final whistle while Beccs who can be proud of a spirited fight back will ultimately see it as a lost opportunity. A week off next week will aid the recovery time for the side who had 5 enforced changes for the Hove game. Beccs next league fixture is home to Folkestone at Sparrows Den on Saturday 24th November.