Hill seconds make final after Hastings win

This time however it was a semi final and only the winner would move forward, they arrived with the sun shining brightly on the cliff top pitch and conditions perfect underfoot for a running game.

Hill made several changes to the team that travelled two weeks ago with several players picking up injuries last week and several returning and one being cup tied at a higher level.

Hill faced the sun as they kicked off to Hastings full of confidence knowing that a hard game was to follow. Hastings collected the ball and soon settled into their pattern of play attacking the fringes with Hill defending well and stealing the odd ball.

In was only 5 minutes into the game however that Hastings had the first opportunity with a penalty being awarded on Hills 10 metre line , they converted the long range kick 3-0. Hill struggled to gain a foothold in the game over the next period of play seeming to turn over even first phase ball and having a penalty count in the first 10 minutes of 4 why Hastings still had to concede a single penalty.

It was one of these penalties that game Hastings the next opportunity with a 5 metre line out and despite Hill stopping the initial surge they still crossed the line and converted 10-0.

Hill continued to struggle to impose control on the game as Hastings defended veraciously but this helped to turn the penalty count as Hastings players found themselves overstepping the defensive lines conceding several penalties and Hill to post their first points as Chris Bowles converted a penalty 10-3. Hill were next to concede points as the ref pinged Hills 8 for Holding onto the Ball converted 13-3.

With only 10 minutes left of the half mistakes crept into the game as both sides looked to get the next score , with these mistakes frustrations grew and the first handbags appeared and Hill won another penalty and pushed themselves upto the opposition 10 metre line .Hastings managed to steal the ball but then dropped the ball in the centres which was pounced on by wing Max Wilson who seemed to drag three of the opposition with him as he crossed the line under the posts to score on the stroke of half time , conversion missed 13-8.

Hill made several changes at half time as they looked to capitalise on the last minute score in the first half. These seemed to show straight away as Hill managed to drive Hastings off the ball in the scrum and recycle several balls , all 15 players seemed to be playing with a new purpose as Hill seemed to win ball after ball. It was centre Ali Pringle who crossed the line under the posts conversion missed 13-13.

Hill made two more changes as they looked to close the game out and despite having the majority of ball it still took 10 more minutes to cross the line with wing Horhay skipping his way round the defence showing some fantastic individual skills unfortunately conversion missed 18-3. Next try saw fullback Bowles score from a huge 30 cm out as Hill drove Hastings towards the line but being held up but recycling allowing Bowles to cross , converted by Maple 25-13. Last try for Hill came from another drive down the middle as scrum half Maple looked to feed skipper Butcher from 5 metres for his tradition flop over one of the Hastings players came from offside intercepting the ball and touching down behind his own posts, the ref adjudged that a Hill would have scored and therefore a penalty try was awarded and converted 32-13. With only moments left in the game Hastings mounted a last attack and were rewarded as their lose head prop drove over unconverted. 32-18.

The Final will be held on May 11th against Pulborough 2s.

Next week sees the seconds resume league action against Cinque Ports followed by a rest week much needed by the older players in the team.