8th Mar 2008 - London SE4 League Beccehamian 18 - Hastings & Bexhill 10 The weather was awful, the rugby wasn’t pretty and Hastings caused an early scare. Beccs earned the victory and two points to remain 4th in the league. Playing up the slope in the first half with rain sweeping across Sparrow’s Den the first 5mins were all played in the Hastings half. Beccs had great field position with a lineout 5 yards from the Hastings line, the ball was knocked on and gave Hastings an opportunity to clear their lines. From the resulting lineout Beccs looked to spread the ball wide only for it to find the grateful arms of the Hastings 12 who ran in from nearly half way to give the visitors an early lead, conversion missed, 0-5. Hastings smelt victory and Beccs had realised this was going to be a game they were going to have to work hard for. With the ball like a bar of soap both sides gave away numerous knock-ons both in open play and at set plays. From the re-start Beccs continued to press the Hastings defence and for the next 20 mins Hastings rarely got out of their own half. Competition for the ball at the breakdown was a lottery with the slippery and wet conditions, the ball rarely getting past the 12 channel from either side. On 15mins fly-half Jim Bryan punished some Hastings indiscipline converting a penalty close to the posts, 3-5. Hastings territory was coming from the boot of the 10 & 12 and was very well cleared up by full back Karl Quinn and wings Sam Painter and Ben Thirkettle. Some wayward Beccs passing (wind aided!) preventing several try scoring opportunities for Neil Paige playing at 13. Hastings had 3 kickable penalty chances before the half was out to extend their lead, thankfully for Beccs none were converted. Half-time, 3-5. Beccs had had the first half territory and been in control of the game yet still found themselves behind. The second half brought a change in fortunes with effective running, support play and off-loading out the tackle. Hastings were penalised for their indiscipline and gave away several penalties where Bs kicked for position. Beccs took the lead from a converted Jim Bryan penalty closer to the posts 10 mins into the second half, 6-5. The Beccs pack dominated and pushed their large opponents around the park all afternoon with their physical scrummaging winning several against the head and effective mauling and attacking round the fringes. On 55 mins from a lineout on the Hastings 22 directed by Hooke at 9, the pack rumbled up field, flanker Scott Spurgeon scoring a try 15 yards in field to extend the lead, missed conversion, 11-5. Continuing the pressure on 62mins from a scrum 5 yards from the Hastings line there was only every going to be one outcome the pack pushing over allowing Chitty at number 8 to keep up his try scoring antics, converted by Bryan, 18-5. Still battling to the end with 5 mins remaining Hastings sucked in the Beccs defence attacking threw narrow channels before spreading it wide with their extra numbers and scoring close to the corner, 18-10. Beccs now have a 3 week break before travelling away to Horsham after Easter on Saturday 29th March.