Hove V 23 - 10 Cinque Ports Rugby (HT 8-5)
Hove is always a tough place to visit. All Hove teams are strong at home and the improbable angle of their fifth team pitch makes it even more of a struggle. A lost toss also made it harder for CPR as whilst they got to play down the slope they would be mountaineering on tired legs in the second half. The slope meant a good start was essential, and a quickly taken penalty by Paul Smart gave Cinque Ports the start they needed. He shipped the ball through the hands Ross Kearney injected a bit of pace and Ben Hanny collected the ball to smash his way over with defenders clinging to him. Smart couldn't make the difficult conversion. The next period of play was hugely disjointed; penalties & scrums seemed to punctuate the game. This made it difficult for the CPR to gain possession. Dale Whittington and Craig Barningham were both willing runners but they were having to live on scraps. Hove were using the rolling maul to good effect, but CPR's strengths were apparent when a loose ball was collected by Ross Kearney and the Irish flyer ran 60 metres before being snagged. Hove's strength was also apparent though when they regained their territorial advantage with a 60 metre penalty kick. A Hove score seemed increasingly likely, a blindside sneak was well defended by Adam Bigg. The Hove Number 8 also thought he had got over the line before being well held up. The strength of CPR's defence meant that Hove took a penalty rather than try to break the line. The kick started the scoring for the hosts. Cinque Ports did have snatches of possession Adam Bigg was unlucky not to collect the final pass after a good break, Whittington collected a short 22 drop out to waltz through the defence and Luke Price was stripped of the ball as he drove to the line. Despite these efforts another booming kick led to a Hove score despite desperate defence holding Hove's first wave out. Whittington, Craig Barningham and Carl Malthouse all defending well.
The second half started with CPR struggling up hill. Despite the geographical disadvantage they seemed a bit more willing. Luke Price was thrusting presence pulling in defenders and seemed to destined to score on a few occasions. Ben Hanny was also looking for a second. Hove scored a second and then a third try, but CPR were increasing the pressure and despite the 13 point advantage it felt like the visitors could get back in the game. Malthouse showed great awareness to rob a quick line out and was unlucky that the final pass from the supporting Chris Eastwood did not lead to a score. A number of rumbles found Cinque Ports on the line and it seemed that CPR would be celebrating as Smart threw a little pop with receivers waiting outside him. Unfortunately a Hove player read the pass and bolted down hill to score. Both sides received a yellow card, Smart taking a rest for the last ten minutes. Despite this CPR found themselves in Hove territory, Dan Mahoney picked up loose ball and was seemingly tackled but the ref rightly identified he hadn't been held and when the little winger wriggled out of the loose challenge he showed real composure to finish. Carl Malthouse missed the conversion as the final whistle blew.
Team Manager Gavin Thomas identified both strengths and weaknesses "I think we showed real determination and grit, and played some really smart rugby in getting the ball away from the collision area. Unfortunately we also missed a few good chances and we need to be making our final passes". Despite the defeat there were lots of strong performances. Dale Whittington and Ben Hanny showed real offensive power. Carl Malthouse was clever around the fringes. Dean Dedman demonstrating some great scrummaging power and Dan Mahoney showed some flashes in only his third game.
It was also a time for celebration as Craig Barningham became the first player to make the landmark of 100 appearances for Cinque Ports Rugby.
Team: Giles (Thomas), Langley, Wan, Barningham (Pantry-Meyer), Dedman, Malthouse, Whittington, Hanny, Kearney (Eastwood), Smart, Perry, Price, Bigg (Mahoney), Fink, Waughman
Next Saturday sees the next league game at the St Leonards Academy (Grove, Darwell Close) ground, against the top of the table Hellingly I XV , KO 2.15.
3.12.11
