Hastings & Bexhill III 22 Cinque Ports Rugby 7 (HT 14-7)

In a game that is traditionally full blooded and committed, it can come as no surprise that both sides lost players to injuries as the tackles came in thick, fast and hard- but it must have come as a shock to the home team as Cinque Ports matched them at key points throughout the game, Hastings and Bexhill did hold early territorial advantage, and an early infringement saw a penalty that narrowly missed.

Cinque Ports showed some early invention too as the elegant running of outside half saw him sail through a gap in the inside centre channel and make thirty yards of territory before being yanked down. Hastings and Bexhill attacked again in waves, seemingly set up camp in the Cinque Ports half. Cinque Ports held out wave after wave, flanker Dean Dedman was particularly key before leaving the field with a head injury. Pressure told and they did break through.

After conceding Ports were re-invigorated, a loose kick falling to full back Carl Malthouse who bumped off challenges before releasing Brandt. The Ball made it's way through the hands of surging centres Shane Potter and Colin Whyte before winger Tony Potter crashed into the 22. Good forward support made the ball available and replacement Craig Brown bullocked over for the try. Malthouse converted.

Hastings & Bexhill were stung, with dangerous back rower Robbie Simons on the field they attacked with real intent. Simons himself was shocked as novice winger Mike Dangerfield stopped him in his tracks twice on the blind side with ferocious tackles. Kicked ball often gave Ports an opportunity and Malthouse was confident under the kick taking the ball and releasing the centres who both made territorial advantage. Despite good work in defence, another trademark forwards rumble gave Hastings another try. Lack of first phase ball prevented Cinque Ports from attacking consistently, and this continued in the second half where the majority of the game seemed to be played in the Cinque Ports half. Hastings aware they were in a game slotted a penalty to lead 17-7, deciding three points was better than risking the clutches of the Cinque Ports defence. The defence stayed strong, Brandt tackling like a flanker, and Tony Potter showing he could defend as well as attack dumping various forwards with little respect for reputations. Hastings and Bexhill did breach the line again, and the final 20 minutes saw various changes due to injuries. Cinque Ports Rugby even showing ambition with various attempts to run the ball 60 metres through Steve Crump as the match petered out. Despite the defeat there was no doubt that first phase ball would have given the St Leonards side a real opportunity to win.

Manager Gavin Thomas was fulsome in his praise "Without a doubt that was the most committed performance we've seen all season, yes we lost but every opposition player will have known they were in a game and our back division is absolutely bursting with potential".

Captain Shane Potter said the following after the game: "I am very proud of the way in which the lads performed today and as captain I couldn't ask for anymore commitment or dedication from the team. It is unfortunate that we weren't rewarded for our efforts, in which was a very close, hard fought contest. All credit to Hastings and Bexhill who played a very solid game and their forwards in particular showed a lot of strength and secured good ball, which was utilised well. This game showed that Cinque Ports Rugby Club are now a force to be reckoned with and I am confident that if we continue to keep up the hard work in training, our next encounter with Hastings and Bexhill will end with Cinque Ports as the victors."

Dangerfield was named man of the match.

Team : Crump, Wright, Maplesden, Perry(Earle), Parker, Doorey (Villeperieux), D Dedman(Brown, Anderson), Barningham, Eastwood (Atkins), Brandt, Dangerfield, S Potter, T Potter (Surridge), Malthouse Unused Sub: W Dedman