Summit in sight for H&B

Having been down in seventh place earlier in 2013, Hastings & Bexhill Rugby Club is 80 minutes away from going top of Kent One.
Kit Claughton in possession for Hastings & Bexhill during their 36-12 win over Cranbrook last weekend.Kit Claughton in possession for Hastings & Bexhill during their 36-12 win over Cranbrook last weekend.
Kit Claughton in possession for Hastings & Bexhill during their 36-12 win over Cranbrook last weekend.

Currently in second position, H&B could hit the front with a sixth successive victory away to leaders Dartfordians tomorrow (Saturday).

Head coach Kevin Smith said: “Dartfordians are top on merit and they’re a good squad, but if we play the rugby we’ve played the last five games we can turn them over. If the performance is good, the result will take care of itself. We’re just looking at it as another game.”

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Dartfordians won 7-0 in November’s reverse fixture and watched H&B beat Cranbrook 36-12 last weekend. H&B are set to be without Ben Davies, Paul Sandeman and Dom Sewell.

Rye Rugby Club, meanwhile, believes it has a real chance of a top three finish if it can maintain its recent form.

The New Roaders currently occupy third place in Sussex One and have a five-point cushion over fourth-placed Chichester III with four games remaining. But fifth-placed Seaford are six points behind Rye with a game with a game, while sixth-placed Brighton II can’t be discounted either.

Asked how confident he is of finishing in the top three, Rye RFC chairman Tony Pierce said: “Very confident is an over estimation, but if we carry on playing the way we are with no great hiccups, it’s very much on the cards. It’s down to our own self-belief and confidence to go on and get these wins. We’ve been playing well enough to deserve it.”

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Rye are due to host mid-table Haywards Heath II, who failed to raise a side for their home game against Eastbourne last weekend, tomorrow. “I am concerned about Saturday, but we’ve already spoken to them and they’ve said ‘we’re planning to come’ so fingers crossed they’ll turn up,” continued Pierce.

Rye have already received two walkovers since the turn of the year with opposing teams unable to fulfil fixtures. The seconds are also due to be at home against their Newick counterparts. Both games kick-off at 3pm.

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