19th Jan 2008 - London SE4 League Beccehamian 12 - Hove 22 First and foremost the thoughts and sympathy of all Beccs members past and present were with Barry Copeland following his recent devastating family tragedy during the well observed minute silence before the game. Thank you to Hove and Bromley rugby clubs too. The Sussex visitors outscored Beccs by 3 trys to 2 in this 2nd versus 3rd place fixture at Sparrows Den. Hove, a well drilled and dangerous side looked like they had some gas to spare albeit aided by a few errors by the home side. Following a bright start by Beccs and against the run of play Beccs threw an interception pass to the Hove 13 who cantered 60 yards under the posts after 10 minutes, converted 0-7. Beccs forward power was the key to this game and they certainly had the upper hand of the early exchanges. The pack and powerful Beccs front row of Nicky Hayler, Sweeting & Appleton driving the visitors off their own ball and turning the visitors own scrum 90 degrees several times winning valuable turnovers. The ever reliable lock partnership of skipper Grant Robinson & Dan Harding winning key lineout ball. Hard working back row of Anderson, Chitty and Jones taking the game to their opponents continually carrying the ball over the gain lane and offering support to their colleagues. The forward power was evident on 15 minutes when from a scrum 5 yards out the pack seemingly without breaking sweat pushed number 8 Chitty into prime time scoring position and he duly scored, converted by Jim Bryan, 7-7. Half time. Playing down the slope and sensing the game was there for the taking Beccs took their foot off the pedal too early. Two minutes into the half a Hove kick into the Beccs 22 took a sideways bounce against the retreating cover defence into the grateful feet of the Hove winger who kicked on and scored near the posts giving Hove the perfect start to the 2nd half, converted, 7-14. Hove extended their lead 5 minutes later with a well struck penalty from the Hove centre, 7-17. Ten minutes into the half the sharp Hove 10 made an good break setting up the outside centre for his second try, missed conversion, 7-22. With some wise words behind the posts Beccs finally decided albeit 15 minutes late it was time for all 15 players to stand up and be counted. On the hour mark a sharp break by Welch and inside pass set up Chitty for his second try, uncoverted, 12-22. The final 20 minutes from Beccs showed the determination of a side to compete until the final whistle and never give up on the opportunity to try and win a game. Some great passages of play played at pace gave the vocal home support some encouragement and the players the belief they can compete at this level. Beccs with the ball in hand and communicating as a unit are a match for anyone. This will certainly need to be the case when Beccs travel away to a notoriously physical Whitstable side next Saturday 26th January.