H&B face test of title credentials

Two Hastings & Bexhill players pressurise a Southwark Lancers opponent during last weekend's 40-0 victory. Picture by Steve Hunnisett (eh41020c)

H&B will seek to maintain their position at the top of the Kent One table and 100% record when they visit third-placed Park House.

“We’re going to compete, and we expect to go there and win,” said H&B head coach Kevin Smith. “That’s the difference this year; now we don’t go away trying to limit the damage or just get out with a bonus point. This is the attitude that’s running through the whole team.”

H&B have had a perfect start to the season, combining solid defence and fluid attacking rugby to record four wins from their first four matches.

Boasting the division’s best points difference and best defensive record (having conceded only 21 points in total and none at all in their two home games), H&B lead the table by three points from Cranbrook.

Park House have also started pretty well with three wins out of four, including an opening day victory away to Cranbrook and a 71-26 thrashing of Foots Cray in their last home fixture.

H&B will be looking for a repeat of last weekend when they defeated previously unbeaten Southwark Lancers 40-0. “Cranbrook and Park House look strong, but it’s too early into the season to say,” added Smith. “We will have a better idea around Christmas, but for now we just need to keep working hard.”

Elsewhere tomorrow, Rye Rugby Club chairman Tony Pierce is hoping his side’s efforts will finally be rewarded when they entertain Crawley.

Pierce believes that a full-strength side, along with the home support, will be able to lift them in another tough contest against one of Sussex One’s top teams.

Pierce said: “Hopefully we’ll have a strong side on Saturday and we’ll give them a good game. We’ve played so well recently against Eastbourne and Chichester, but we just don’t have that little bit of depth we could do with.”

Crawley are currently fourth in Sussex One and will be aiming to challenge for top spot. Getting a win this weekend won’t be easy, but Pierce is hoping Rye’s fortunes will change after three defeats in their four games so far. Kick-off is 3pm.