H&B dumped out of Vase

Roger Stanley's team overcame then London South East Four leaders Aylesford at the same third round stage in 2003-04, but found the 2004-05 pacesetters in the league above an altogether sterner proposition.

"There was only ever going to be one result," said H&B spokesman Peter Knight. "They are obviously a good team and they played very well. Their number 15 was one of the best players ever to have played at that ground. There were some other very good players there as well and they would beat Aylesford easily.

"But we gave them a good game. We played much better than we did against Crowborough and Pulborough (whom they beat 10-8 and 3-0 respectively in their last two Sussex Division One outings) and if we play with that amount of determination and skill in Sussex Division One we will do very well. It was a good day for the club. We had a good crowd of probably about 100 and the coach and management were well pleased."

With the performance at any rate, if not the result, even against a Dunstonians side yet to lose any of their 10 competitive matches this season.

H&B "were still in it" when trailing 20-10 at half time, although "there was only going to be one winner".

A well-crafted backs' try that was finished off by Ben Campbell and converted by Paul Sandeman had given the home side hope as they briefly levelled at 7-7 after scrum-half Mott had rounded off a sweeping Old Boys move in the 12th minute.

Centre Thomas, who went on to kick eight shots at goal en route to a 23-point personal haul, restored OBs' lead with a penalty before Dayani got over after working the short side off the back of a line out.

Mott claimed another score early in the second period prior to Sole rounding off a flowing move from the Old Boys' own 10 metre line. Further touchdowns from Renford Bennett, Sackey and Thomas completed the visitors' seven try haul, although George Cullingford pulled one back for H&B which Sandeman again converted. Roger Roberts was the Morgan & Lamplugh man of the match.

H&B visit Heathfield & Waldron, who beat London Four South East side East Grinstead in the Powergen Junior Vase, on Saturday November 13.