H&B desperate to end play-off misery

The Sussex Division One second place finishers have lost play-offs to go up to London South East Division Four in four of the last five years.

But they are desperate to set that wretched record straight when they entertain Kent Division One runners-up Ashford on Saturday April 29.

"We are aware of our record," said captain Kit Claughton, pictured, "but I don't think there's any lack of confidence among the players. I think we're a better team now and I think, if we perform as we have been doing, we've got a very good chance."

H&B have home advantage courtesy of possessing a better record than their opponents in league matches this season and haven't lost on their own patch in 12 games - three of which have been against higher level clubs - during the 2005-06 campaign.

But Ashford, who beat H&B at home in the play-off three years ago, lost just two of their nine away league games, nilling their opponents in the last two of these contests.

"I do see it as in the balance," Claughton continued, "but we're pretty sure of our game plan and we're going to play with a lot more ambition than we have in other play-offs. We don't think we're going to be able to mix it with them in the physical side so we're going to have to move it around and play with a lot of pace."

"I guess we start as underdogs, certainly in Ashford's eyes, because of our past record in play-offs," added chief coach Roger Stanley. "We've got to play our rugby adventurously to win on Saturday, and not go into our shells. But I don't think we've ever been as good as we are now."

Neil Redman's recovery from a thumb injury means that H&B will be just about at full strength, although there were a few selection dilemmas for the coaches and captain to sort out at training on Tuesday night.

Jimmy Adams and Tom Brampton were contesting the full-back position, Steve Lovick and Chris Calloway were vying for the second propping role, while George Cullingford was hoping to displace one of Roger Roberts, Paul Sandeman and Steve McManus in the back row. Kick-off at William Parker Sports College is 3pm.