H&B set for key away clash

Hastings & Bexhill Rugby Club has an opportunity to put clear daylight between itself and the lower reaches of London Three South East.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Oct 2014, 17:45 BST
A Hastings & Bexhill player is tackled by a trio of opponents during last weekend's 10-10 draw at home to Folkestone. Picture by Steve Hunnisett (SUS-141018-173731002)A Hastings & Bexhill player is tackled by a trio of opponents during last weekend's 10-10 draw at home to Folkestone. Picture by Steve Hunnisett (SUS-141018-173731002)
A Hastings & Bexhill player is tackled by a trio of opponents during last weekend's 10-10 draw at home to Folkestone. Picture by Steve Hunnisett (SUS-141018-173731002)

Third-bottom H&B will travel to second-bottom Gillingham Anchorians on Saturday knowing that a win will increase the present five-point gap between the clubs.

“It’s an important game,” said head coach Kevin Smith. “Every game is winnable, but we’ve got to have a mindset that keeps us going for the full 80 minutes and not get distracted by off the ball incidents.”

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Smith was frustrated that H&B were unable to close out last weekend’s visit from Folkestone, which ended in a bruising 10-10 draw after the opposition scored a last gasp try.

“We were disappointed,” continued Smith. “We should’ve got our first (home) win really. Our defence was absolutely awesome in the first half against the wind and we played the better rugby.

“There was a lot of frustration on their part. We should’ve closed the game down, but our mental attitude deteriorated in the last 20 minutes. We had good possession, good territory, but we lost it.

“There’s nothing that we can’t work on and luckily I’ve got intelligent players who want to learn.”

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Rye Rugby Club, meanwhile, is due to entertain Chichester III in Sussex One on Saturday. The New Roaders are second-from-bottom of the table have drawn one and lost four of their first five league matches, the most recent of which ended in a 58-6 defeat away to second-placed Crawley last weekend.

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