Cup run comes to end at hands of strong Hellingly side

Cinque Ports 0 -  55 Hellingly I  (HT 0-24)

Hellingly came to the St Leonards Academy with some very convincing results under their belt in Sussex 2 East. They also arrived with a very well organised squad. Cinque Ports themselves were missing some key individuals in the forwards, but were riding on a number of confident (if losing) performances. From the kick off the power of Hellingly was apparent, Dale Whittington fielded the ball before spilling it in a huge hit. The ensuing scrum also demonstrated the power of the visitors pack, this ensured Cinque Ports possession throughout the game was limited. A storming blind side hustle by the hard running Hellingly Number 8 was enveloped though by Whittington and Dean Dedman. Dedman had a tidy game under difficult circumstances putting in a number of vital tackles. Despite the early rebuff Hellingly did break the line, and did with some regularity. The early loss of Chris Perry also meant that CPR had to make more changes to their pack. Despite the strength of the opposition Ross Kearney made 40 yards after sloughing off a weak tackle, Chris Eastwood charged up in support. The full back couldn't get his pass off though and the charge came to naught. Hellingly gave a number of penalties away and Paul Smart used the full range of his experience and knowledge to take advantage. A few testing kicks to the wings were utilised as well as some switch passing to give Luke Price and Adam Bigg some opportunities to run.

The second half saw more of the same from the visitors, the inclusion of Rob Fink in the backs seemed to give CPR a little more bite in defence too. Despite some sterling work from the Czech and his teammates Hellingly seemed to increase their hold on possession. The scrum held a little better for Cinque Ports and a series of scrums near their line were held out. Cinque Ports used the game as an opportunity to blood two new players too. Dan Mahoney and Charlie Morman came onto the wings to make their debut. Mahoney doing enough to prevent the Hellingly number 8's storming run who spilled with the line gaping. The second half was characterised by some tough tackling, Dedman throwing himself into the fray with regularity and replacement Craig Brown also showing willing with some big hits. Eastwood also showed great technique in dragging down the quicksilver Hellingly full-back as he weaved his way through the defence. Despite some strong performances the result was inevitable all the while that Hellingly controlled the ownership of the set ball, and as the whistle blew few watching the game would have considered Hellingly anything but favourites for the Plate. CPR had the largest crowd of the season with supporters from both clubs and a number of interested spectators not connected to either club, which was great as they watched some strong controlled rugby from Hellingly and a very spirited defence from CPR right up to the final whistle.

Team Manager Gavin Thomas reflected on the defeat "We were against a strong, organised team. They were pacy and ran great lines which made it very difficult to defend. Whilst I think we showed heart throughout the game, I would love to see us hit the same levels of physicality as Hellingly demonstrated today". The CPR Secretary Peter Silk said “I was delighted to welcome Hellingly 1st XV, as we played our first ever match against Hellingly 2nd XV, and I was pleased at the rugby spirit in which both teams conducted the game. I was also pleased at the way CPR  kept tackling throughout the game, they fought hard and well for the whole match, which is of enormous credit to the CPR team spirit. Hellingly are a strong team who will no doubt be promoted back up the leagues from whence they came, we on the other hand are looking to build up CPR to follow them over the next few years. CPR wishes Hellingly every success in the next round of the cup, and I feel that they have a strong enough squad to win the final.” 

Team: Wan, Wright, Giles, Perry (Brown/Morman), Pantry-Meyer, Thomas, Whittington, Dedman, Eastwood, Smart, Bigg, Whyte (Fink), Price, Baillie, Kearney (Mahoney)

Next Saturday CPR play a friendly against Burgess Hill  2nd XV  at the St Leonards Academy, Darwell Close, KO 2.30pm.