H&B set to concede semi-final

Although not confirmed, the rugby club will almost certainly concede their Sussex Bob Rogers Cup last four tie away to Eastbourne on Saturday.

Chairman David Hirst said: “It’s extremely unlikely that the cup game will go ahead. We’re basically missing a second row, some of the back row, both centres - we’re effectively down six players.”

Jimmy Adams, Piers Claughton, Tom Grellier and Rod Luff are among the absentees for a game that was originally due to have taken place on or by February 12, but was deferred because of postponed league matches.

“It would appear that everyone thought this was a free weekend and therefore had booked things with their partners and they’re not available to us,” Hirst continued. “Some of it’s work commitments as well.

“If it had been a league game I don’t know what we would’ve done, I think we would’ve had to drag every possible player we could out of retirement and the second team. It’s a shame because it would’ve been a good game.”

Eastbourne are seventh in London Three South East, while H&B are third in Sussex One - the next step down the pyramid - and won 33-12 away to Eastbourne’s second team a fortnight ago.